"goddess of spring, month of May"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
May
Pronunciation: [ m-AY ]
Does May flow with your last name?
A timeless one-syllable name bright as spring
English
American
French
German
Vintage
Elegant
Minimalist
Gentle
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Names Like May
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Meaning & Origin
"pearl (short form of Margaret)"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
"beloved (short form of Mary)"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
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The Story of May
May comes from the month of May, which derives from Maia, the Roman goddess of spring and fertility. Maia was also the eldest and most beautiful of the Pleiades in Greek mythology, and the mother of Hermes by Zeus. The name was used in medieval England both as a short form of Margaret and Mary, and as an independent name celebrating the most joyful month of the year.
May has been a quiet constant in English naming for centuries, especially popular as a middle name. It is experiencing a revival as a first name as parents embrace short, sweet, one-syllable vintage names that feel both classic and fresh.
May Day (May 1st) is celebrated across Europe as a spring festival and workers' holiday. In England, the May Queen crowned at village festivals was a symbol of feminine beauty and spring's renewal.
Historical Record
May first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 8,587 babies have been named May in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, May is past its peak , currently ranked #1,351 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- May is named for Maia, the Greek Titaness of spring and mother of Hermes
- Theresa May served as UK Prime Minister 2016-2019, making the name recently prominent in politics
May in Other Languages
French
Mai
German
Mai
Italian
Maggio/Maia
Spanish
Mayo/Maya
Japanese
メイ
Popularity Over Time
#1,351
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1951
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named May
T
Theresa May
Politician
1956
British Prime Minister 2016-2019, the second woman to hold the office after Thatcher
M
May (Pokemon) Fictional
Other
Beloved female protagonist in Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire, known for her kind spirit and Pokemon Contest mastery
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Compare May with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 1
- Popularity Rank
- #1,351
- Total SSA Count
- 168
- Cultural Origins
- English American French German
- 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, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English 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
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for May
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
May is also used as a boy name, ranked #19754.
View May as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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Sanskrit origin
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Ciara
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Irish Gaelic origin
"dark one, dark-haired"
#1,365 in US
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"oak tree, strength"
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Frequently Asked Questions About May
What does the name May mean?
"goddess of spring, month of May" (from Latin). "pearl (short form of Margaret)" (from Greek). "beloved (short form of Mary)" (from Hebrew). May comes from the month of May, which derives from Maia, the Roman goddess of spring and fertility. Maia was also the eldest and most beautiful of the Pleiades in Greek mythology, and the mother of Hermes by Zeus. The name was used in medieval England both as a short form of Margaret and Mary, and as an independent name celebrating the most joyful month of the year.
What is the origin of the name May?
May has Latin, Greek, Hebrew, English, American, French, and German origins. In Latin, it means "goddess of spring, month of May". In Greek, it means "pearl (short form of Margaret)". In Hebrew, it means "beloved (short form of Mary)".
Is May a boy or girl name?
May is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #1351. As a boy name, it is ranked #19754. May is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce May?
May is pronounced m-AY.
How popular is the name May?
May is currently ranked #1351 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for May?
Popular middle name pairings include May Rose, May Eleanor, May Josephine, May Beatrice, May Louise, and May Frances.
What are good sibling names for May?
Names that pair well with May as siblings include June, Pearl, Iris, Theodore, August, and Violet.
How many syllables does May have?
May has 1 syllable, making it easy to say and remember.
Is May a common or rare name?
May is an uncommon name, ranked #1351 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to May?
About the Name May
May is a girl name with English, American, French, and German origins . The name means "goddess of spring, month of May" in Latin .
Is May a boy or girl name? May is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #1,351 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #19,754. May is more commonly used as a girl name.
May is currently ranked #1,351 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name May has 1 syllable and is pronounced m-AY, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of May include Maya, Maylee, Maylin, Mayra, Mayla . 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