The baby name Semaye is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced seh-MAH-yeh (IPA: /səˈmajɛ/).
Semaye is Amharic in Origin.
The baby name Semaye is a Female name , 3 syllables long and is pronounced seh-MAH-yeh (IPA: /səˈmajɛ/).
Semaye is Amharic in Origin.
Semaye is a unisex Ethiopian–Eritrean given name deriving from Amharic and Tigrinya səmāy (Geʿez ሰማይ), meaning “sky” or “heaven.” It echoes broader Semitic vocabulary - Arabic samā’ and Hebrew shamayim - reinforcing associations with expanse, elevation, and celestial protection; in everyday usage it also evokes the serene color of the sky.
The name appears in Ethiopian and Eritrean naming traditions that favor meaningful words, with documented use in the 20th century and modest growth in the diaspora in recent decades. Spelling varies across Latin transliterations: Semaye, Semay, Semaya; a related feminine form is Semayat (Amh./Tig. “heavens”). Diminutives and nicknames include Sema, Maye, and Maya. While Samay sometimes occurs as an alternate rendering, in South Asian contexts Samay has an unrelated Sanskrit origin (“time”), so the meanings should not be conflated. Overall, Semaye offers a lyrical, cross‑cultural name anchored in the image of the open sky.
Semaye is a rare find. Our records hold just 39 recorded uses, spread over 6 countries.
Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.
| Country | Gender | Year | Rank | Born | of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AZ | 0 | #42 | 2 | 706 | |
| AZ | Girls | 0 | #67 | 9 | 1,051 |
| YE | 0 | #398 | 1 | 8,639 | |
| SD | Boys | 0 | #464 | 3 | 10,523 |
| MY | Boys | 0 | #1,182 | 1 | 25,439 |
| TR | 0 | #1,191 | 21 | 19,440 | |
| SA | Boys | 0 | #1,690 | 2 | 28,008 |
Semaye is popular in 6 countries — most recent births per country:
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