NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Mahia

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "to wish" or "desire".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2020. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Mahia is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Mahia popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2020 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5493, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 5 births.

This profile covers 25 England and Wales registrations across 7 recorded years from 2002 to 2020. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 60% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 25 living people in the UK are called Mahia. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2021 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Mahia ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2014, when 5 girls were registered as Mahia.
  • About 25 living people in the UK are estimated to have Mahia as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5493

2020

Births in 2020

3

Latest year

Peak year

2014

5 births

Estimated living

25

2026

Meaning

What does Mahia mean?

The name Mahia is derived from the Maori language, which is spoken by the indigenous people of New Zealand. It is a relatively modern name, with its origins traced back to the late 19th or early 20th century.

Mahia likely has its roots in the Maori word "mahia," which means "to work" or "to make." This suggests that the name may have been given to children with the intention of imbuing them with a sense of industriousness and productivity.

While the name Mahia does not appear to have any direct references in ancient texts or religious scriptures, its Maori linguistic heritage connects it to the rich cultural traditions of the indigenous people of New Zealand.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the name Mahia was Mahia Blackman, a New Zealand artist and writer born in 1938. Blackman's work often explored themes of identity and cultural heritage, reflecting her Maori and British ancestry.

Another notable figure with the name Mahia was Mahia Jamieson, a New Zealand rugby union player who represented her country in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Jamieson was part of the pioneering generation of women who helped establish rugby as a prominent sport for females in New Zealand.

In the field of education, Mahia Whaanga was a respected Maori scholar and teacher who played a significant role in preserving and promoting the Maori language and culture. She worked tirelessly to ensure that Maori traditions were passed down to future generations.

Mahia Tere was a notable Maori leader and activist who fought for the rights and recognition of indigenous people in New Zealand. She was a vocal advocate for the protection of Maori land and resources, and her efforts helped raise awareness about the struggles faced by her community.

Lastly, Mahia Pomare was a Maori artist and sculptor who gained recognition for her intricate and culturally significant works. Her pieces often incorporated traditional Maori motifs and techniques, reflecting her deep connection to her cultural heritage.

These individuals, spanning various fields and time periods, serve as examples of the diverse and accomplished individuals who have carried the name Mahia throughout history.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Mahia over time

The chart below shows babies named Mahia registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2002 to 2020. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Mahia, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Mahia
01345200220112020

Decades

Mahia by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Mahia was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #5493 3 1
2010s #5048 15 4
2000s #4235 7 2

Related

Names similar to Mahia

FAQ

Mahia: questions and answers

How popular is the name Mahia in the UK right now?

In 2020, Mahia was ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Mahia most popular?

The peak year on record was 2014, with 5 babies registered as Mahia in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Mahia?

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "to wish" or "desire".

How many people are called Mahia in the UK?

A total of 25 babies have been registered as Mahia across the 7 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.