Home › Baby Names Directory › Mae
Mae
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
Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data
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
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.
Variations
Nicknames
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…
Explore names like Mae
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 is currently a fixture in the top 1000 girls' names in the U.S.