The name MAYA comes from Maia, the youngest goddess daughter of the God Atlas. The name Maya derives from the Greek mythological Goddess “Maia” who rules over “increase.” The name Maya additionally means “illusion,” “enchantment” or “God’s creative power” in reference to the illusory nature of this world, according to Hindu belief, in which it derives from the Sanskrit “ma” meaning “not” and “ya” meaning “this.” Maya is also used as a pet form of “Amalia” meaning “industrious” or “hardworking.” The name is also associated with “water.”

In Greek mythology, Maia and her six sisters mourned their father's humiliation when he was punished by holding the world on his shoulders for leading a revolt against the Gods of Olympus. The Gods turned Maia and her Goddess sisters into doves to spare them any more pain. They flew to the highest heaven and became the brightly shining stars we know today as the Pleiades. Maia is also the mother of Hermes.In Indian mythology, the goddess Devi, who is the consort of Shiva, is also called Maya. In Buddhist tradition, Maya is the mother of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama.