Maui — Meaning, Origin & Everything to Know
Maui means '(the demigod trickster of legend)' — a Maori name from Maori.
Maui is a Maori name carrying the meaning '(the demigod trickster of legend)'. Because it rests on Maori rather than passing fashion, Maui carries a sense of history that many parents look for. Maui offers a son the idea of insight, depth and quiet intelligence, wrapped in a sound that works almost anywhere.
| Name | Maui |
|---|---|
| Meaning | At its core, Maui carries the meaning '(the demigod trickster of legend)', rooted in Maori |
| Origin | Maori |
| Language | Maori |
| Gender | Boy |
| Numerology number | 8 |
| Pronunciation | MAUI |
| Popularity tier | Tier 3 |
What Does the Name Maui Mean?
At its core, Maui carries the meaning '(the demigod trickster of legend)', rooted in Maori.
The early history of Maui belongs to the Maori world, where '(the demigod trickster of legend)' was a quality worth naming a child for. Across generations the meaning '(the demigod trickster of legend)' held firm while Maui passed through families, migration and changing fashion.
In current use, Maui sits easily in any classroom or workplace while still carrying its original idea of '(the demigod trickster of legend)'. The result is a name in Maui that feels both usable and meaningful — its appeal in the 2010s in a nutshell.
Symbolically, Maui leans toward insight, depth and quiet intelligence, with its Maori roots adding heritage to that idea.
Origin & Etymology of Maui
Maori · Maori
Trace Maui back and you reach Maori and the meaning '(the demigod trickster of legend)'. When families carried the Maori tradition abroad, Maui went too, picking up minor spelling shifts without losing '(the demigod trickster of legend)'.
Within Maori culture, Maui connects to enduring values through its idea of insight, depth and quiet intelligence.
How Māori names are chosen
A Māori name is described as gifted rather than chosen. Many are ingoa tūpuna, taken from an ancestor, which passes that ancestor's mana to the child and fixes their place in whakapapa — the genealogical layering that Apirana Ngata described as laying each generation upon the one before. A name may instead be bestowed by a kaumātua who has read something in the child's wairua. Historically a person carried one name at a time but might take a new one as their circumstances changed, which in an oral culture worked as a way of keeping collective memory attached to events.
How to Pronounce Maui
MAUI — Maui is a single, simple syllable — said just as it reads. Each vowel is pronounced separately and evenly, as in te reo Māori.
Popularity of the Name Maui
Maui has stayed steadily popular, with its momentum centred on the 2010s.
Popularity trends are based on historical naming pattern data and updated periodically, not real-time rankings.
Personality Traits Associated with Maui
The name Maui tends to bring thoughtful, perceptive associations to mind. Both the '(the demigod trickster of legend)' meaning and the rhythm of Maui feed that picture. In the traditions that link names to temperament, Maui lands on the side of insight, depth and quiet intelligence. Character is shaped far more by the person than the name, yet Maui carries a gentle, positive feel that many parents respond to.
Maui Numerology
The name Maui carries the numerology number 8.
In numerology Maui reduces to 8, the Achiever — ambition and authority. Tradition holds that a 8 shapes someone's natural motivations and way of relating to others. Set beside the meaning '(the demigod trickster of legend)', the 8 adds another layer for parents who weigh numerology when naming.
Maui & Zodiac Connection
Maui sits naturally alongside thoughtful Virgo and visionary Aquarius, signs whose temperament matches its mood. Curious how a baby named Maui might pair with their actual star sign?
Curious what your baby's zodiac sign reveals? Explore GetMyHoro →
Names Similar to Maui
Sibling Names That Go With Maui
- Maui & Eruera — Pairs naturally with Maui without echoing it.
- Maui & Hare — A like-minded match in feel for Maui.
- Maui & Bodhi — Sits comfortably beside Maui as a sibling name.
- Maui & Advait — Shares a complementary sound and style with Maui.
- Maui & Atharv — Pairs naturally with Maui without echoing it.
- Maui & Ved — A like-minded match in feel for Maui.
Middle Names for Maui
Maui Alexander · Maui Joseph · Maui James · Maui Daniel · Maui Michael · Maui Thomas
What's your favourite thing about the name Maui?
How much do you like the name Maui?
4.6 / 5 · 548 ratings
Want a personalised naming consultation?
Our Personal Baby Naming Report factors in your surname, sibling names, cultural preferences and numerology all together — not a generic list.
Get your report — €9.99Frequently Asked Questions
+What does the name Maui mean?
Maui means '(the demigod trickster of legend)'. It comes from Maori and is linked with insight, depth and quiet intelligence, which makes it a meaningful choice for a son.
+What is the origin of Maui?
Maui is Maori in origin, from Maori.
+What is the numerology number for Maui?
In Pythagorean numerology Maui reduces to 8 — the Achiever — ambition and authority.
+Is Maui a popular name?
Maui has stayed steadily popular, with its strongest momentum in the 2010s.
+Is Maui suitable for any gender?
Maui is most often used as a boy's name, though naming is personal and the meaning '(the demigod trickster of legend)' suits any child.
+What names pair well with Maui for a sibling?
Names such as Eruera, Hare, Bodhi sit well beside Maui, sharing a complementary style.