Girl · 191st of 9,107
May
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
49,915
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1919
Peak Popularity Year
991
Peak Births
Generational story
Where May stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
The name May has its roots in Latin, specifically from 'Maius', named after the goddess Maia. It symbolizes the month of May and is often linked to spring and growth. The name evolved through historical forms such as Maius and Mai, eventually becoming May in Middle English. It gained popularity in the 19th century and is viewed positively in modern times. Variants include Mae and Maya, and notable figures bear the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/meɪ/
Origin
Latin
Etymology
The name May is derived from the Latin 'Maius', which is named after the Roman goddess Maia, who was associated with spring and growth.
Meaning
the fifth month of the year; spring
Language Evolution
Maius (Latin), Mai (Old French), May (Middle English)
Historical Usage
May gained popularity as a given name in the English-speaking world during the 19th century, often associated with the month of May, which symbolizes spring and renewal.
Variants & Derivatives
Mae, Maya, Maia
Modern Popularity & Image
The name May is perceived as a charming, feminine name often associated with blooming flowers and the beauty of springtime.
Famous People
May Wright Sewall, an American educator and suffragist, Maynard James Keenan, an American musician, Mayim Bialik, an American actress and neuroscientist
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Moderately Popular name with 991 peak births in 1919
Geographic Spread
Popular across 49 US states, with strongest presence in Hawaii
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 12 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 4 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 12 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1885th of 7545 | 276 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 2458th of 6773 | 175 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 4360th of 7552 | 54 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8770th of 10718 | 12 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6776th of 16616 | 83 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 191st of 9107 | 19,778 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 351st of 9204 | 6,492 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 762nd of 12526 | 3,185 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 1198th of 19264 | 1,544 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 1417th of 27321 | 1,682 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 2106th of 35406 | 1,412 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 1619th of 30306 | 1,618 |