the eldest of the seven Pleiades, mother by Zeus of Hermes
Maia in American English
(ˈmeɪə; ˈmaɪə)
noun
1. Greek Mythology
one of the Pleiades, mother of Hermes by Zeus
2. Roman Mythology
an earth goddess, sometimes identified with the Greek Maia: the month of May was named in her honor
Word origin
Gr, lit., mother < ma, baby talk for mētēr, mother1; (sense 2) L, fem. of Maius, a deity (lit., ? he who brings increase, or the great one) < Magnus (see magni-): later confused with Gr Maia
Examples of 'Maia' in a sentence
Maia
Perhaps she can't sleep, thought Isabel, and then realised it must be Laurence, not Maia, for Maia would not bother to flick the switch.
Fay Weldon THE PRESIDENT'S CHILD (2003)
Maia had quarrelled with her husband and run out into the street with tears in her eyes and stepped in front of a car, and lost her sight.
Fay Weldon THE PRESIDENT'S CHILD (2003)
It's Maia 's fantasy about Homer and Isabel from No. 3,' says Hope.