"beloved, dear one (pet form of Mary)"
Origin: Hebrew via Irish
Language: English
Mame
Pronunciation: [ m-AYM ]
Mame is a girl name of Hebrew via Irish origin meaning "beloved, dear one (pet form of Mary)." Ranked #6,714 in the US, popular nicknames include May and Mamie.
A vintage charmer with Broadway spirit
Irish
Scottish
West African (Wolof)
Vintage
Playful
Classic
Whimsical
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Meaning & Origin
"grandmother, revered elder woman"
Origin: Wolof (West African)
Language: Wolof
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
We found 2 potential concerns.
See full analysis in your reportHow Does It Sound with Your Surname?
Similar to Mame
See all →What the Mame report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Mame the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Mame
Mame is a pet form of Mary, which derives from the Hebrew Miriam, possibly meaning 'beloved' or 'rebelliousness.' As a nickname for Mary, Mame was popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In West African cultures, particularly among the Wolof people of Senegal, Mame is an honorific term meaning 'grandmother' or a title of respect for revered elder women. The dual heritage gives the name surprising cultural depth.
Mame became particularly well-known through the 1966 Broadway musical and 1974 film 'Mame,' starring Lucille Ball, about the flamboyant Auntie Mame. Before that, it was simply a charming nickname. Today it sits at the crossroads of vintage revival and multicultural appeal.
In Senegal and among Wolof communities worldwide, Mame is a term of deep respect given to grandmothers and revered elderly women. It's often used as a prefix to names, like 'Mame Diarra.' This gives the name spiritual weight beyond its Western pet-name origins.
Historical Record
Mame first appeared in US Social Security records in 1991.
Over 417 babies have been named Mame in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mame is past its peak , currently ranked #6,714 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- The 1966 Broadway musical 'Mame' starred Angela Lansbury and won six Tony Awards
- In Wolof culture, Mame Diarra Bousso is one of the most revered religious figures in Senegal
- Mame was a top-1000 US name from the 1880s through the 1920s
Mame in Other Languages
Irish
Máire
Wolof
Mame
Arabic
مريم
French
Marie
Spanish
María
Popularity Over Time
#6,714
Current Rank
Peaked 2002
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mame
M
Mame Bineta Sarr
Politician
1978
Senegalese politician and Secretary of State for Youth
A
Auntie Mame Dennis Fictional
Other
Flamboyant protagonist of Patrick Dennis's 1955 novel 'Auntie Mame' and the beloved Broadway musical
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #6,714
- Total SSA Count
- 17
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Scottish West African (Wolof)
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
May
Mamie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, classic style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, vintage style, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Distinctive pick, Scottish heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mame
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Mame fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Similar Names
See all names like Mame →Compare Mame with...
Same Origin Names (Irish)
Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Mame
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Mame and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Mame sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Delana
Girl
Old French origin
"noble, of the valley"
#6,618 in US
Brennan
Girl
Old Irish origin
"little drop of moisture, rain"
#6,661 in US
Carrigan
Girl
Irish Gaelic origin
"descendant of Corraidhín (little spear)"
#6,514 in US
Rosse
Girl
Latin via English origin
"rose (influenced by the flower)"
#6,565 in US
Cathryn
Girl
Medieval Latin origin
"torture wheel (folk etymology from Sa..."
#6,716 in US
Noraa
Girl
Hebrew origin
"light"
#6,708 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Mame's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mame
What does the name Mame mean?
"beloved, dear one (pet form of Mary)" (from Hebrew via Irish). "grandmother, revered elder woman" (from Wolof (West African)). Mame is a pet form of Mary, which derives from the Hebrew Miriam, possibly meaning 'beloved' or 'rebelliousness.' As a nickname for Mary, Mame was popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In West African cultures, particularly among the Wolof people of Senegal, Mame is an honorific term meaning 'grandmother' or a title of respect for revered elder women. The dual heritage gives the name surprising cultural depth.
What is the origin of the name Mame?
Mame has Hebrew via Irish, Wolof (West African), Irish, Scottish, and West African (Wolof) origins. In Hebrew via Irish, it means "beloved, dear one (pet form of Mary)". In Wolof (West African), it means "grandmother, revered elder woman".
Is Mame a boy or girl name?
Mame is primarily used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Mame?
Mame is pronounced m-AYM.
How popular is the name Mame?
Mame is currently ranked #6714 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Mame?
Common nicknames for Mame include May and Mamie.
What are good middle names for Mame?
Popular middle name pairings include Mame Louise, Mame Grace, Mame Elaine, Mame Frances, Mame Jean, Mame Claire, and Mame Violet.
What are good sibling names for Mame?
Names that pair well with Mame as siblings include Flo, Nell, Bess, Dora, Pearl, Roy, and Hattie.
How many syllables does Mame have?
Mame has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Mame a common or rare name?
Mame is an uncommon name, ranked #6714 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Mame
Mame is a girl name with Irish, Scottish, and West African (Wolof) origins . The name means "beloved, dear one (pet form of Mary)" in Hebrew via Irish .
Mame is currently ranked #6,714 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Mame has 1 syllable and is pronounced m-AYM, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Mame include May and Mamie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew via Irish Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More girl names like Mame
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
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