UK girl's name
Maika
A female name of Hawaiian origin meaning "Mary" or "bitter.".
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.
Maika is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Maika 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 2011, with 3 births.
This profile covers 6 England and Wales registrations across 2 recorded years from 2011 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 6 living people in the UK are called Maika. 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
- • Maika ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales in 2020, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2011, when 3 girls were registered as Maika.
- • About 6 living people in the UK are estimated to have Maika 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
2011
3 births
Estimated living
6
2026
Meaning
What does Maika mean?
The name Maika has its origins in the Polynesian languages, specifically in the Maori language of New Zealand and the Hawaiian language. It is believed to have derived from the word "mai," which means "towards" or "hither" in these languages. The name Maika is thought to be a feminized version of this word, often used as a shortened form of longer names like Maikara or Maikarika.
In Maori culture, the name Maika was historically given to girls born during the summer months, as it was associated with the warm and inviting nature of the season. It was a name that conveyed a sense of welcoming and hospitality, reflecting the values deeply ingrained in the Maori way of life.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Maika can be found in the genealogical records of the Ngāti Whātua iwi (tribe) of the Auckland region in New Zealand. These records date back to the 17th century and mention a notable figure named Maika, who played a significant role in the history and traditions of the iwi.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Maika. One such person was Maika Sai (1775-1854), a Hawaiian high chiefess and the wife of Kamehameha I, the first king of the Hawaiian Islands. Her influence and support were instrumental in Kamehameha's unification of the Hawaiian Islands.
Another prominent figure was Maika Puhi (1865-1939), a Maori leader and land rights activist from the Ngāti Whātua iwi in New Zealand. She was a staunch advocate for the preservation of Maori land and played a crucial role in the establishment of the Orakei Marae, a sacred meeting place for her people.
In the realm of literature, Maika Makaokalani Huikau (1927-2014) was a renowned Hawaiian writer and educator. She authored several books and plays that explored the rich cultural heritage and traditions of her people, preserving and sharing their stories with future generations.
Maika Ouince (1932-2018) was a prominent French Polynesian politician and activist who fought for the rights and autonomy of her people in the face of colonial rule. She was a leading figure in the independence movement and served as a member of the French National Assembly.
Lastly, Maika Eichhorn (born 1982) is a contemporary German-Samoan actress and model known for her roles in various television series and films, including the popular crime drama "Tatort."
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Maika over time
The chart below shows babies named Maika registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2011 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 Maika, the clearest high point is 2011. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2020, compared with 3 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Maika by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Maika 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 | #5785 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Maika
- 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
Maika: questions and answers
How popular is the name Maika in the UK right now?
In 2020, Maika was ranked #5493 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Maika most popular?
The peak year on record was 2011, with 3 babies registered as Maika in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Maika?
A female name of Hawaiian origin meaning "Mary" or "bitter.".
How many people are called Maika in the UK?
A total of 6 babies have been registered as Maika across the 2 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.