Mayu
Meaningoften true gentleness · Japanese
Mayu is a Japanese girl name often meaning “true gentleness”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length.
Did you know?
- GenerationMayu peaked in 1995, which makes it a Millennial name. The typical Mayu you'd meet today is about 30 years old.
- HistoryMayu first shows up in US birth records in 1990, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 35 years since.
US births per million girls, 1990–2025
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Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
About the name Mayu
Mayu is a girl name of Japanese origin meaning “often true gentleness”. Its two syllables give it an easy rhythm, and the open vowel at the end makes it sound soft and warm. It's a fresh, modern name that only arrived in US birth records in recent decades. It's rarely heard today, so it stands out while still being a real, established name.
Origin:Japanese names
More Japanese girl names
- Girl name: Naomi · pleasantness
- Girl name: Noa · movement
- Girl name: Reina · queen
- Girl name: Aya · sign, verse
- Girl name: Hana · one; flower in Japanese
- Girl name: Kiyomi · often pure beauty
- Girl name: Yuna · often gentle
- Unisex name: Akira · bright, clear
Questions about the name Mayu
What does the name Mayu mean?
Mayu means “often true gentleness” and comes from Japanese.
What is the origin of the name Mayu?
Mayu is Japanese in origin. Other Japanese names to consider are Naomi (“pleasantness”), Noa (“movement”), Reina (“queen”) and Aya (“sign, verse”).
Is Mayu a boy or girl name?
Mayu is a girl name.
How popular is the name Mayu?
Mayu is rare: fewer than 5 US girls got it in 2025, and it was last given to 5 or more in 2024. It peaked at #8,079 in 1995, so it's a name with history that few kids share today.
What should I know before naming my baby Mayu?
Mayu is a Japanese girl name often meaning “true gentleness”. In Japan, parents often choose a name as much for the kanji characters behind it as for its sound, so the same name can carry several shades of meaning. A meaning like this gives a child something to grow into, and a good story to tell when someone asks about their name. It sounds soft and friendly, it's easy to spell and quick to call across a playground, and it pairs well with middle names of almost any length. Say it out loud with your last name and any middle names you're considering, and check the initials it makes.