Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Mae
GirlEnglish· “form of May”
- Meaning
- form of May
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- MAY
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #501
- US babies 2025
- 594
- Best rank
- #52 (1892)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Mae
Mae is an English name that is usually said to mean “form of May”.
Mae is a variant of May, which began as a pet form of Mary and Margaret and later became associated with the month of May and the hawthorn blossom called may. The month itself is named after Maia, a Roman goddess of growth. Mae was a popular name in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and the actress Mae West made it famous. Today it is back in fashion, often used as a middle name, as in Emma Mae or Ella Mae, but increasingly chosen as a first name too. It is short, sweet and full of vintage charm.
Other spellings with the same sound: May, Maye, Mei.
Famous parents who chose Mae: Hilary Duff and Matthew Koma (2021). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Mae has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 106 different years. Its best national rank was #52 in 1892, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 2,756 were named Mae. In 2025, 594 babies were named Mae, and it ranked #501 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #99 in 1920, #287 in 1950, #1,509 in 1980, #1,409 in 2000, #979 in 2010, and #501 in 2025. Of the 114,835 US girls named Mae since records began, 20% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 21,530 babies. Since 2010, 7,945 more have been named Mae.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Blanche, Opal, Lena, Jennie, and Marguerite.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mae ranked highest in Utah, Maine, and Massachusetts.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Utah | #189 | 25 |
| Maine | #196 | 6 |
| Massachusetts | #220 | 26 |
| South Dakota | #259 | 5 |
| Minnesota | #268 | 21 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Mae is usually pronounced MAY, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with M and ends in “-ae”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include May, Maye, and Mei.
Middle names for Mae
A few middle names that flow with Mae: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mae
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Lists that include Mae
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mae mean?
Mae is an English name that is usually said to mean “form of May”.
What is the origin of the name Mae?
Mae has English roots. Mae is a variant of May, which began as a pet form of Mary and Margaret and later became associated with the month of May and the hawthorn blossom called may.
Is Mae a popular name?
Yes. Mae ranked #501 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Mae a boy or girl name?
Mae is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Mae?
Mae is usually pronounced MAY. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings