Everything about the name MAUI
Meaning, origin, history
In Hawaiian culture, Maui plays a significant role as a culture hero, responsible for various important tasks such as:
* Slowing down the sun so that days would be longer. * Teaching men how to fish by pulling the North Island of Hawaii (also known as Hawaii Island) from the ocean floor using his magical fishhook. * Introducing fire to humanity.
The name Maui itself is believed to have been derived from the word "mau" which means "fast, swift," possibly referring to the speed with which Maui completed his tasks or the rapidity of his thought processes. Alternatively, it may also mean "to search for," reflecting Maui's relentless pursuit of knowledge and adventure.
The name has gained significant popularity in recent years due in part to its use in Disney's animated film "Moana" (2016), where the demigod Maui is depicted as a charming yet arrogant character with powerful abilities. However, despite this recent exposure, Maui remains a deeply rooted and culturally significant name within Hawaiian tradition.
In conclusion, the name Maui offers a fascinating glimpse into Hawaiian mythology and culture, embodying the spirit of creativity, intelligence, and determination. It serves as an excellent choice for parents seeking a unique and meaningful name for their child with deep cultural roots.
Popularity of the name MAUI since 1880
Birth evolution
Popularity analysis
The name Maui has been given to a total of 113 babies in the United States between 2004 and 2023. The number of births with this name has varied over time, with peaks occurring in recent years.
From 2004 to 2008, there were only five Mauis born each year on average. However, starting from 2011, the popularity of the name began to rise, reaching a high point in 2020 when twelve babies were given the name Maui.
It's interesting to note that even though the overall number of births has decreased since 2017 (from ten births that year to five births in both 2021 and 2023), the popularity of the name Maui continues to be strong, with six babies named Maui each in those years.
Overall, while the name Maui may not have been extremely popular throughout its history in the United States, it has shown consistent presence over the past two decades. It will be intriguing to see if this trend continues or changes in the coming years.