Ma麻 / 玛

/MAH/

Chinese

Ma is a Chinese baby name pronounced /MAH/. In Chinese contexts, it often refers to hemp or flax, or can signify smoothness and agate.

Meaning of Ma

In Chinese contexts, it often refers to hemp or flax, or can signify smoothness and agate.

The name Ma is rooted in ancient Chinese characters, most commonly 麻 (hemp) or 玛 (agate). While significantly more common as a surname (one of the most frequent in China), it is used as a given name or a component of one, often selected for its simplicity or phonetic qualities. In other cultures, it may appear as a short form or diminutive, but its strongest historical standing as a distinct name is East Asian.

Origin
Chinese
Pronunciation
/MAH/

Cultural background

While primarily a prominent surname in China and among the Hui people, it is used as a given name in various East Asian regions and occasionally as a shortened form of names like Margaret or Maria in Western contexts.

Variations & nicknames

  • Maa
  • Mah
  • Mamma
  • May
  • Ma-Ma

Famous people named Ma

Well-known namesakes — celebrities, historical figures and characters.

  • Ma Rainey

    Influential American blues singer known as the Mother of the Blues

    Music · Early 20th Century

  • Ma Barker

    Matriarch of the Barker-Karpis gang during the public enemy era

    Crime · 1930s

  • Ma Long

    Professional Chinese table tennis player and Olympic gold medalist

    Sport · Modern

  • Ma Jiyuan

    General in the National Revolutionary Army during the Chinese Civil War

    Military · Mid-20th Century

Frequently asked about Ma

Is Ma a common first name?
No, Ma is extremely rare as a standalone first name; it is much more frequently encountered as a surname or a nickname/title.
What is the gender of the name Ma?
It is considered unisex, though its usage varies greatly by culture; in the West, it is often associated with maternal figures (Ma Rainey), while in Asia it is a gender-neutral component of names.
Is Ma used as a nickname?
Yes, it is often a shortened form of names like Margaret, Maria, or Mabel, or used as an affectionate term for a mother.

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