"apricot blossom, yellow flower"
Origin: Vietnamese
Language: Vietnamese
Mai
Pronunciation: [ m-EYE ]
Does Mai flow with your last name?
A cross-cultural gem meaning dance, blossom, or pure water
Vietnamese
Japanese
Scandinavian
Arabic
Elegant
Minimalist
Gentle
Unique
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like Mai
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"dance, graceful movement"
Origin: Japanese
Language: Japanese
"pure water"
Origin: Arabic
Language: Arabic
"month of May, spring goddess"
Origin: Latin/Norse
Language: Scandinavian
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The Story of Mai
Mai is a beautiful cross-cultural name with different meanings in different languages. In Vietnamese, mai (mai hoa) refers to the yellow apricot blossom — the flower of the Lunar New Year and a symbol of prosperity, luck, and new beginnings. In Japanese, the name can mean dance (舞) or come (来), with mai-dance being particularly elegant. In Scandinavian languages, Mai is a form of May, the goddess of spring. In Arabic, mai means water, often used as a poetic word for pure, fresh water.
Mai is widely used across Vietnam, Japan, and Scandinavian countries, making it a rare example of a name that feels native across multiple very different cultures. In Vietnamese-American communities, Mai has remained popular as a name that bridges both cultural identities, being easy to pronounce in English while retaining its Vietnamese heritage.
In Vietnam, the mai blossom (yellow apricot flower) is one of the most significant symbols of the Lunar New Year (Tết). Homes are decorated with mai branches to welcome prosperity and happiness. A girl named Mai is associated with this hopeful, bright beginning — making the name particularly beloved. In Japan, the name is associated with elegant dance performance and the beauty of movement.
Historical Record
Mai first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 5,201 babies have been named Mai in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mai is past its peak , currently ranked #3,216 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In Vietnam, Mai is the yellow apricot blossom displayed during Tết (Lunar New Year)
- The same spelling means dance in Japanese, water in Arabic, and spring in Scandinavian
- Mai is a top-10 name in Vietnam
Mai in Other Languages
Arabic
ماي (water)
Chinese
梅 (plum blossom)
Japanese
舞 (dance)
Vietnamese
Mai
Scandinavian
Mai (May/spring)
Popularity Over Time
#3,216
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1990
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mai
M
Mai Khoi
Musician
1985
Vietnamese singer and democracy activist known as the Bjork of Vietnam
M
Mai Fujiwara
Musician
1985
Japanese singer and idol known for contemporary J-pop music
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #3,216
- Total SSA Count
- 49
- Cultural Origins
- Vietnamese Japanese Scandinavian Arabic
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, elegant style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-3 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, minimalist style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Distinctive pick, Scandinavian heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Distinctive pick, Scandinavian heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mai
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Mai is also used as a boy name, ranked #20849.
View Mai as a boy name →Similar Names
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Compare Mai with...
Same Origin Names (Vietnamese)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mai
What does the name Mai mean?
"apricot blossom, yellow flower" (from Vietnamese). "dance, graceful movement" (from Japanese). "pure water" (from Arabic). "month of May, spring goddess" (from Latin/Norse). Mai is a beautiful cross-cultural name with different meanings in different languages. In Vietnamese, mai (mai hoa) refers to the yellow apricot blossom — the flower of the Lunar New Year and a symbol of prosperity, luck, and new beginnings. In Japanese, the name can mean dance (舞) or come (来), with mai-dance being particularly elegant. In Scandinavian languages, Mai is a form of May, the goddess of spring. In Arabic, mai means water, often used as a poetic word for pure, fresh water.
What is the origin of the name Mai?
Mai has Vietnamese, Japanese, Arabic, Latin/Norse, and Scandinavian origins. In Vietnamese, it means "apricot blossom, yellow flower". In Japanese, it means "dance, graceful movement". In Arabic, it means "pure water". In Latin/Norse, it means "month of May, spring goddess".
Is Mai a boy or girl name?
Mai is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3216. As a boy name, it is ranked #20849. Mai is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Mai?
Mai is pronounced m-EYE.
How popular is the name Mai?
Mai is currently ranked #3216 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Mai?
Popular middle name pairings include Mai Linh, Mai Anh, Mai Thu, Mai Jade, Mai Rose, Mai Grace, and Mai Lea.
What are good sibling names for Mai?
Names that pair well with Mai as siblings include Lan, Hoa, Minh, Linh, Nam, Tuấn, and Ngọc.
How many syllables does Mai have?
Mai has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Mai a common or rare name?
Mai is an uncommon name, ranked #3216 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Mai?
About the Name Mai
Mai is a girl name with Vietnamese, Japanese, Scandinavian, and Arabic origins . The name means "apricot blossom, yellow flower" in Vietnamese .
Is Mai a boy or girl name? Mai is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,216 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #20,849. Mai is more commonly used as a girl name.
Mai is currently ranked #3,216 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Mai has 1 syllable and is pronounced m-EYE, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Mai include Maisie, Maia, Maisy, Maizie, Maite . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis