The name Amaja is of African origin, specifically from the Igbo people of Nigeria. It means "my mother is precious" in the Igbo language. The name Amaja is composed of two parts: "Ama", which means "mother" or "maternal", and "ja", which means "precious". Therefore, Amaja can be interpreted as a tribute to one's mother or maternal figure, highlighting her importance and preciousness.
The use of the name Amaja dates back to ancient Igbo tradition. In Igbo culture, naming ceremonies are significant events where a child is given their names by elder family members based on certain factors such as the day of the week they were born, the circumstances surrounding their birth, or qualities the elders hope the child will possess. The name Amaja would have been bestowed upon a child in recognition of the love and respect for their mother.
In modern times, Amaja has gained international recognition and is now used globally by people of various ethnicities. While it remains deeply rooted in its African origins, the meaning and beauty of the name Amaja continue to resonate with parents seeking unique and meaningful names for their children.
The name Amaja has seen a relatively consistent number of births over the years in the United States, with a total of 49 babies given this name between 1999 and 2020.
Between 1999 and 2004, there were a total of 37 births recorded for the name Amaja. The highest number of births occurred in 2000 with 7 births, followed by 7 births again in 2004. There was also a notable increase in births in 2010 with another 6 babies named Amaja.
After a gap of several years, the name Amaja resurfaced in 2020 with 5 births recorded. This shows that while the name may not have been as popular during the intervening years, it has still maintained a steady presence in US birth records over the past two decades.
Overall, these statistics demonstrate that the name Amaja has had a consistent, if somewhat limited, popularity in the United States since the late 1990s. While it is not one of the most common names, its recurrence year after year indicates that there continues to be a community of parents who choose this unique and distinctive name for their children.