May
May is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Fifth month of the year; derived from Maia, goddess of spring, or associated with youth and blossom.
Origin and history
May is a classic English name derived from the fifth month of the year, which traces back to Maia, the Roman goddess of spring and fertility. It also historically served as a diminutive for Margaret and Mary. While it was widely popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, it remains a charming and recognizable choice in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
49,400 babies in the United States have been named May since 1880. It ranks #592 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1269.
States where it is most popular
- NY (13.5 %)
- CA (10.5 %)
- TX (6.1 %)
- PA (5.9 %)
- MS (4.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 5,881 |
| 1890-1900 | 6,880 |
| 1900-1910 | 5,546 |
| 1910-1920 | 8,096 |
| 1920-1930 | 8,164 |
| 1930-1940 | 3,743 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,319 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,724 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,111 |
| 1970-1980 | 911 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,223 |
| 1990-2000 | 815 |
| 2000-2010 | 884 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,199 |
| 2020-2029 | 904 |
Famous people named May
- May Alcott: Artist, Illustrator
- May Sarton: Poet, Novelist
Fun facts
- May was one of the earliest month names to become a popular personal name in the English-speaking world.
- Before becoming an independent given name, May was commonly used as a pet name for Mary and Margaret.