What is the ruling on naming a newborn girl "Maya," given that it has several meanings, including "goddess of spring among the Romans," "a tribe of Native Americans," "mystery" in India, "spring" in Hebrew, "chivalry and strength" in Persian, and "mother" in Greek?

It is preferable for a Muslim to avoid naming their children with unfamiliar names, and to choose good names for them, as it was narrated from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: "Indeed, you will be called on the Day of Resurrection by your names, so make your names good," and "Name yourselves with the names of the Prophets, and the most beloved names to Allah are Abdullah and Abdur-Rahman."

Naming children with repulsive names or those with meanings of disbelief (kufr) or names specific to non-Muslims is a pathological and harmful phenomenon. We call upon Muslims to adhere to the etiquette of Islam and the Sunnah (definition) of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, in naming.

If a name wavers between being ugly and good, it is preferable to abandon it and choose a good name. The aforementioned name "Maya" is not permissible to be used for naming due to its promotion of a disbelieving belief, and because it is the name of a people from the Native Americans, and it is among the names specific to the people of disbelief. It is sufficient to deter a Muslim from it that it has a meaning of disbelief, and that Muslims did not use it except in imitation of the West.

Therefore, it is advised to avoid naming with this name, and to choose a name from the names of the female Companions or the righteous women from the predecessors of the Ummah.