How do you pronounce Maya?

[mummato1]

For all of my pregnancy I have been very keen on Maya for a girl.. and in my head I have been flicking between May-a, or My-a ?

How do you think it is meant to be pronounced?

[Trillian]

I have heard it pronounced both ways. Either is lovely, but I guess it depends on what middle name you have and also your last name as to which version you go with

[[M]umma[M]ia]

May-a

[hj1981]

when i read Maya - i pronounce it May - a

[sazzafrazz]

My initial reaction is May-a but I have heard either and I actually prefer My-a.

[NaeNae]

I would pronounce it May-a. its lovely no matter which way you wanted to spell it.

Nae x

[mummato1]

I prefer May-a.. as My-a makes me think of "Myer" the store..

I was checking out a few other baby name sites, and the consensus seemed to be that it is My-a and that May-a was - too quote "an uneducated" way to pronounce it (??)

[babywannabe]

i know two Mayas' and both pronounced may-a.
I too can't help but think of the dept store if it were My-a.

[mummsie]

I have a little girl, Maya (pronounced May-a) just as you spell it. Either way ie My-a or May-a is lovely. Maya has a long history depending on your nationality thus the different spellings/pronunciations. It has links in many, many cultures. Ignorance reflects on those who don't understand names can be linked into different cultural backgrounds in both expression and spelling. My suggestion would be do some research to see which meanings resonate for you.

[Neenee Jellybeanie]

I've only ever heard My-a, not May-a. It's a lovely name though I prefer what I think is a variation, Marya. A bit tricky to pronounce though! Literally Mar-Ya. It kinda sounds like Maria if you get it wrong.

[mummato3]

I would think it would be 'My -a', it has a smoother sound to it. Ma-ya could be a bit...harsh??

[babywannabe]

I was watching The Simpson's last night and Moe's girlfriend that he met on the net was called Maya and he pronounced it 'My-a'. Sounds nice both ways.

[Salsa]

I would pronounce it May - a.
btw I know a 3 girls called Maiya/maia and the connection to Myers store never occured to me till I read this thread. I think May - a or Mai - a are both lovely names.