UK girl's name
Maho
A feminine Japanese name meaning "true brightness" or "true light".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2011. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Maho is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Maho popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2011 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2011, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2011 to 2011. 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.
Maho is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Maho. 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 2012 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Maho ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2011, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 3 girls were registered as Maho.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Maho as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2011
Births in 2011
3
Latest year
Peak year
2011
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Maho mean?
The name Maho is believed to have originated from the Japanese language, with roots dating back to the early 8th century. It is derived from the Japanese word "maho," which translates to "magic" or "sorcery." This suggests that the name may have been associated with mystical or supernatural connotations in ancient Japanese culture.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Maho can be found in the ancient Japanese text "Kojiki," which is a collection of myths and legends written in the early 8th century. In this text, Maho is mentioned as the name of a powerful sorceress or shaman who possessed magical abilities.
During the Heian period (794-1185), the name Maho gained popularity among the aristocratic class in Japan. It was often given to daughters who were believed to possess a certain mystical charm or spiritual connection. Some historical records from this period mention Maho as the name of a court lady who served the imperial family.
In the 12th century, there is a reference to a Buddhist monk named Maho who was renowned for his calligraphic skills and his ability to create intricate and beautiful manuscripts. His works were highly prized and are considered important artifacts in Japanese cultural history.
Another notable figure with the name Maho was a Japanese warrior woman who lived during the 16th century. She was known for her exceptional skill in combat and her bravery on the battlefield. Historical accounts mention her as a respected and feared leader among her troops.
In the 18th century, there was a famous artist and woodblock printer named Maho who was renowned for his intricate and detailed prints depicting scenes from Japanese folklore and daily life. His works are considered masterpieces of the ukiyo-e art form and are highly valued by collectors and art historians.
While the name Maho has its roots in ancient Japanese culture, it has also been adopted and used in various other cultures and languages over time. However, its origins and historical significance remain deeply intertwined with the rich and fascinating traditions of Japan.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Maho by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Maho 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5785 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Maho
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Maho: questions and answers
How popular is the name Maho in the UK right now?
In 2011, Maho was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Maho most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 3 babies registered as Maho in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Maho?
A feminine Japanese name meaning "true brightness" or "true light".
How many people are called Maho in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Maho across the 1 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.