May
May: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /meɪ/
Meaning and origin of May
Root meaning: “Maia's month”
- A female given name, usually pet name for Mary and Margaret, reinforced by the month and plant meaning.
Etymology
From Middle English May, Mai, from Old French mai, from Latin Maius (“Maia's month”), from Maia, a Roman earth goddess.
How popular is May?
Since 1880, 49,400 girls and 699 boys in the U.S. have been named May (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #57 in 1880. Its highest rank for boys was #632 in 1888. In 2025, 183 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to May
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More English girl names
Sibling name ideas for May
Sister and brother names that share May's English roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
May FAQ
What does the name May mean?
May traces back to a root meaning "Maia's month". A female given name, usually pet name for Mary and Margaret, reinforced by the month and plant meaning. From Middle English May, Mai, from Old French mai, from Latin Maius (“Maia's month”), from Maia, a Roman earth goddess.
What is the origin of the name May?
May is listed as a name of English origin.
How popular is the name May?
Since 1880, 49,400 girls and 699 boys in the U.S. have been named May (99% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #57 in 1880. Its highest rank for boys was #632 in 1888. In 2025, 183 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is May a boy or girl name?
May is mostly a girl name in the U.S.: 49,400 girls and 699 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.