Esme vs Mae

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Esme

Girl #344 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"beloved, esteemed"

Origin: French

Cultural Roots

English French Scottish Persian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#344
Total SSA Count
901
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Ez

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Esme →

Popularity Comparison

Esme Rank #344
Mae Rank #530

Esme is more popular, ranked #344 vs #530 for Mae.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Esme ___

  • Esme Rose
  • Esme Pearl
  • Esme Violet
  • Esme Gray
  • Esme Wren
  • Esme June

Mae ___

  • Mae Elizabeth
  • Mae Louise
  • Mae Catherine
  • Mae Caroline
  • Mae Alexandra
  • Mae Josephine

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Esme

Soren Jasper Ottilie Wren Felix

If you choose Mae

Rose Pearl June Beatrice Iris

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Esme or Mae more popular?

Esme is more popular, ranked #344 compared to Mae at #530 in the United States.

What do Esme and Mae mean?

Esme means "beloved, esteemed" (French origin). Mae means "pearl" (Greek via Latin origin).

Are Esme and Mae boy or girl names?

Esme is primarily a girl name. Mae is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Esme ← Full profile: Mae Browse all baby names