Maier is a surname of German origin.
It is a variant spelling of the more usual "Meyer", which is cognate with the English word "mayor", but with a different meaning.
Individuals with the surname include:
- Anneliese Maier (1905–1971), German historian of philosophy
- Barbara Maier Gustern (1935–2022), American vocal coach and singer
- Bernhard Maier (born 1963), German professor of religious studies
- Daniela Maier (born 1996), German freestyle skier
- Fred Anton Maier (1938–2015), Norwegian speed skater
- Georg Maier (1941–2021), German actor and theatre director
- Helmut Maier (born 1953), German mathematician
- Henry Maier (1918–1994), American politician
- Hermann Maier (born 1972), Austrian alpine skier
- Jeffrey Maier (born 1984), 1996 World Series baseball fan
- Jens Maier (born 1962), German politician (AfD)
- Father Joe Maier (born 1939), American-born Thai Redemptorist priest
- Johann Maier von Eck (1486–1543), German Catholic theologian
- Johanna Maier (born 1951), Austrian chef
- Jonathan Maier (born 1992), German basketball player
- Lothar Maier (born 1944), German politician
- Merwyn Maier (1909–1942), American bridge player
- Michael Maier (1568–1622), German physician, counselor, alchemist, and epigramist
- Norman Maier (1900–1977), American experimental psychologist
- Patrik Maier (born 1996), Slovak ice hockey player
- Paul Maier (born 1930), American history professor and novelist
- Pauline Maier (1938–2013), American history professor
- Reinhold Maier (1889–1971), German politician
- Ronald V. Maier (born 1947), American Trauma Surgeon
- Rudolf Robert Maier 1824–1888), German pathologist
- Sascha Maier (born 1974), retired German footballer
- Sepp Maier (born 1944), retired German football goalkeeper
- Vivian Maier (1926–2009), amateur photographer
- Walter A. Maier (1893–1950), American radio personality and theologian
- Werner L. Maier (born 1966), retired German football player
- William J. Maier (1876–1941), New York State politician