Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Ethelmae

Ethelmae

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Ethelmae

Pronounced ETH-uhl-may /ˈɛθ.əl.meɪ/Medium

Meaning: Ethelmae joins Ethel, from the Old English aethel, 'noble,' with Mae, a form of Mary or of the month-name May. Compound double names like this were a hallmark of early-twentieth-century American naming, often written as one word.Low

In 30 seconds: Ethelmae joins Ethel ('noble') with Mae, in the double-name style of the early 1900s. A rare compound pick (said ETH-uhl-may).
💕 Browse more names
Made for Ethelmae
Ethelmae
Custom knit blankets, embroidered with her name.
See Ethelmae blankets
Amazon affiliate link
mamaraya
Affiliate link
🍼
Essentials for baby
Baby care from Dr. Talbot’s
Bottles, diapering, bath and nasal care — 23 picks.
Dr. Talbot’s · affiliate link
Shop baby essentials
Origin LowEnglish
MeaningEthelmae joins Ethel, from the Old English aethel, 'noble,' with Mae, a form of Mary or of the month-name May. Compound double names like this were a hallmark of early-twentieth-century American naming, often written as one word.
U.S. rank (1941)#4621 ↘ Falling
1941 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1920
Total births (all-time)≈ 314
🌸
Essentials for mom
What she’ll actually want in week one
Peri-bottle, nursing pads, postpartum ice packs — 29 picks from Dr. Talbot’s.
Dr. Talbot’s · affiliate link
Shop mom essentials

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192019081941

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Ethelmae is a compound of Ethel, from the Old English aethel, 'noble,' and Mae, a form of Mary or of May. It appears in United States records from around 1908, when running two names together into one given name was in vogue. It was never common, given to only a couple dozen girls a year at its early-1920s high.

A girl named Ethelmae then would be a great-grandmother today, and the name is a small time capsule of early-century taste. Both Ethel and Mae have edged back into use separately, but the joined Ethelmae has stayed of its period.

Did you know? Ethelmae packs two popular early-century names into one: Ethel, 'noble' in Old English, and Mae, the sweet, brief name that ended countless double names of the day.
Overall data confidence 50%
References - Ethelmae — Compound of Ethel 'noble' + Mae

Variations

Ethel MaeEthelmayEthelma

Nicknames

EthelMae

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Ethelmae…

Ethel— the first half and parent name
Ollie— a same-era homey girl's name
Verna— a two-beat vintage girl's name of the period
Ellamae— shares Ethelmae's English roots
Elliemae— shares Ethelmae's English roots

Explore names like Ethelmae

By themerareenglishvintagecompound

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Ethelmae mean?

It joins Ethel, Old English for 'noble,' with Mae, a form of Mary or May.

How do you pronounce Ethelmae?

It's said ETH-uhl-may /ˈɛθ.əl.meɪ/, three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Ethelmae a boy or girl name?

Ethelmae is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Ethelmae?

It was always rare, an early-twentieth-century double name given to only a couple dozen girls a year at its peak.

💬 Ask Nia