Girl · 2792nd of 30,306
Mei
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
1,741
Total Births
145
Years of Data
2024
Peak Popularity Year
101
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Mei stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
Jump to a section
Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Mei is a name of Chinese origin meaning 'beautiful' or 'plum'. It evolved from classical Chinese forms and is commonly used in modern times. The name reflects positive traits and is not associated with biblical significance. It has historical roots and has gained popularity in recent years, with notable figures bearing the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/meɪ/
Origin
Chinese
Etymology
The name Mei is derived from the Chinese word for 'beautiful' or 'plum'. It is commonly used as a given name for girls in Chinese-speaking cultures.
Meaning
beautiful, plum
Language Evolution
梅 (Méi) - Early form in classical Chinese, 美 (Měi) - Associated character meaning 'beauty', Mei - Modern romanization
Historical Usage
The name Mei has been popular in Chinese-speaking regions for centuries, particularly in the 20th century as Western influence and cultural exchange grew.
Variants & Derivatives
May, Mei-Ling, Mei-Xing
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Mei is perceived positively, often associated with beauty and elegance. It remains a popular name among Chinese families and has gained some recognition in Western cultures.
Famous People
Mei Lanfang - Renowned Peking opera performer, Mei Zhang - Chinese-American entrepreneur and philanthropist
Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
Geographic charts live in focused views so this report stays readable. Choose the level of detail you need.
Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 101 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 10 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 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 5 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6601st of 12526 | 59 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 5674th of 19264 | 140 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5401st of 27321 | 248 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3995th of 35406 | 557 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2792nd of 30306 | 737 |