May
May is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Fifth month of the year; hawthorn blossom; young person.
Origin and history
May is a rare masculine given name in the United States, derived either from the English month name, a short form of various names, or an English surname. As a male given name, its U.S. usage peaked in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is currently unranked. It is far more commonly encountered as a feminine given name or a surname.
Popularity in the United States
699 babies in the United States have been named May since 1880. It ranks #3977 all-time.
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 52 |
| 1890-1900 | 42 |
| 1900-1910 | 47 |
| 1910-1920 | 121 |
| 1920-1930 | 140 |
| 1930-1940 | 112 |
| 1940-1950 | 36 |
| 1950-1960 | 26 |
| 1960-1970 | 35 |
| 1970-1980 | 0 |
| 1980-1990 | 59 |
| 1990-2000 | 29 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Fun facts
- The month name May ultimately derives from the Roman goddess Maia, who was associated with growth and spring.
- Historically used occasionally as a masculine given name, May saw most of its U.S. male birth registrations in the late 19th century.