Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
May
GirlEnglish, Latin· “the month of May; pet form of Mary”
- Meaning
- the month of May; pet form of Mary
- Origin
- English, Latin
- Pronunciation
- MAY
- Syllables
- 1
- US rank 2025
- #1,233
- US babies 2025
- 183
- Best rank
- #57 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1919
Meaning and origin of May
May is an English and Latin name that means “the month of May; pet form of Mary”.
May has two roots. It is the name of the fifth month, which the Romans named after Maia, a goddess associated with growth, and it has long been used as a pet form of Mary and Margaret. The hawthorn blossom, also called may, adds a floral association. The name was especially fashionable in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and it now feels like a sweet vintage revival. It is short, gentle and easy to pair, and it often works well as a middle name too. Mae is a common alternate spelling.
Popularity over time
May 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 85 different years. Its best national rank was #57 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1919, when 981 were named May. In 2025, 183 babies were named May, and it ranked #1,233 nationally. That is 41% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #204 in 1920, #623 in 1950, #1,087 in 1980, #1,917 in 2000, #1,892 in 2010, and #1,233 in 2025. Of the 49,400 US girls named May since records began, 17% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 8,096 babies. Since 2010, 2,103 more have been named May.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Luella, Freda, Cecelia, Adele, and Effie.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, May ranked highest in Oregon, Washington, and Utah.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | #527 | 7 |
| Washington | #566 | 12 |
| Utah | #679 | 6 |
| Colorado | #684 | 8 |
| Maryland | #805 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
May is usually pronounced MAY, with one syllable. It has three letters, starts with M and ends in “-ay”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Mae, Maye, and Mei.
Middle names for May
A few middle names that flow with May: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for May
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Lists that include May
Frequently asked questions
What does the name May mean?
May is an English and Latin name that means “the month of May; pet form of Mary”.
What is the origin of the name May?
May has English and Latin roots. May has two roots.
Is May a popular name?
Not especially. May ranked #1,233 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is May a boy or girl name?
May is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce May?
May 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