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Home › Baby Names Directory › May

May

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAY /meɪ/Low

Meaning: The month of May; also pearl or beloved as a pet formLow

In 30 seconds: May is a sweet one-syllable name with multiple roots: the month of May from the Roman goddess Maia, a pet form of Mary or Margaret, and a word meaning beloved or pearl. It has been used across English-speaking countries since the 19th century.
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Origin LowEnglish, Latin, Hebrew
MeaningThe month of May; also pearl or beloved as a pet form
U.S. rank (2025)#1233 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births183 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1919
Total births (all-time)≈ 49,399

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 191918802025

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

May emerged in the 19th century as a pet form of Mary (Hebrew, beloved) and Margaret (Greek, pearl). It is also used as a given name for girls born in May, named for the Roman goddess Maia of spring growth.

May has been a consistent name in English-speaking countries, never going fully out of fashion. It appears frequently as a middle name and as a standalone. It has been borne by queens and literary heroines.

Did you know? The month of May is named after Maia, the Roman goddess of growth and the earth, one of the Pleiades stars. Maia was the mother of Mercury by Jupiter and was associated with the blooming of spring.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: May

Variations

MaeMayeMai

Nicknames

MaybelleMazie

Famous Bearers

  • ★Theresa May (b. 1956)
    British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom 2016-2019

If you like May…

Mae— Alternate spelling of same name
June— Month name for girls of same simple charm
April— Month name for girls
Flora— Spring nature name of same simple elegance

Explore names like May

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By meaningLoveJewel / Gem

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Frequently Asked

What does May mean?

May refers to the month of May (named for Roman goddess Maia of spring growth) and is also a pet form of Mary meaning beloved and Margaret meaning pearl.

Is May a popular name?

May has been used consistently in English-speaking countries since the 19th century, often as a middle name or standalone.

How do you pronounce May?

May is pronounced MAY, a single syllable.

What names are similar to May?

Similar names include Mae, June, April, and Flora.

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