Mae

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAY /meɪ/High

Meaning: Spelling variant of May, the fifth month; also a pet form of Mary (meaning 'beloved' or 'bitter') and Margaret (meaning 'pearl')High

In 30 seconds: Soft and vintage, Mae is a one-syllable English classic that evokes the month of May and old-Hollywood glamour. Quietly climbing back after decades away.

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Origin HighEnglish, Latin

MeaningSpelling variant of May, the fifth month; also a pet form of Mary (meaning 'beloved' or 'bitter') and Margaret (meaning 'pearl')

U.S. rank (2025)#501 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births594 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1918

Total births (all-time)≈ 114,829

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Mae is an English spelling variant of May, itself derived from the Latin month name Maius, honoring the Roman goddess Maia. The spelling with an e emerged in the 19th century as parents sought a slightly more ornate look for the simple month-name.

Mae peaked in American usage in the early 20th century, faded mid-century alongside many soft vintage names, and has been quietly rising again since the 2010s. It benefits from the broader revival of short, antique girls' names ending in a vowel.

Did you know? Mae West, whose real first name was Mary Jane, adopted the nickname Mae — cementing the name's breezy, confident image for a full century.

Overall data confidence 88%

Behind the Name — Mae — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MayMae

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

★Mae West (1893–1980)
American actress, playwright, and pop-culture icon of the 1930s.
★Mae Whitman (1988–present)
American actress known for television roles in Parenthood and Good Girls.

If you like Mae…

June— fellow sweet month-name with the same vintage one-syllable charm

Faye— shares the soft, old-Hollywood one-syllable feel

Claire— same crisp, classic single-syllable with timeless appeal

Nell— vintage short English name with the same gentle warmth

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mae mean?

Mae is a spelling variant of May, evoking the month of May and also used as a short form of Mary or Margaret, carrying meanings of pearl and greatness.

How do you pronounce Mae?

It is said MAY — one syllable rhyming with 'day'.

Is Mae a boy or girl name?

Mae is used almost exclusively as a girls' name.

How popular is Mae?

Mae has been rising steadily and ranked in the top 500 girls' names in the U.S. in recent years.