May
Fact sheet
- Name
- May
- Gender
- Girl name
- Syllables
- 1
The first name May is a feminine name that originates from English and literally refers to the month of May. This month has its roots in the Roman goddess Maia.
What does the name May mean?
May is a feminine first name derived from English and directly connected to the month of May. The name is also regarded as a pet form of Mary or Margaret. Mary, an English form of Maria, has its origins in Mirjam and means 'the beloved of God', 'the bitter', 'the beloved', 'the rebellious', 'the drop of the sea', or 'the star of the sea'. While the exact roots are not definitively clarified, it is believed that the name has ancient Egyptian origins and is derived from mry meaning 'beloved'. Margaret, often seen as a variant of Margareta, comes from the Latin name Margarita and metaphorically means 'the pearl', which has its origin in the ancient Greek margarítēs (μαργαρίτης). May has been used as a first name since the late 19th century and is also found in the Arabic short form Maysun, meaning 'the girl with the pretty face'. Other variants include Mai and Mae.
Where does the name May come from?
The name May has its roots in Old English and Latin and means 'the one born in May'. In Old English, may refers to May, while the Latin maior means 'greater'. The name is also associated with Mary, whose origin lies in the Aramaic Mirjam and the ancient Egyptian mry meaning 'beloved'. Additionally, it is connected to the Hebrew rym, meaning 'gift of God', and myr, meaning 'fruitful'. Margaret, on the other hand, is derived from the ancient Greek margarítēs (μαργαρίτης), meaning 'the pearl'.
How do you pronounce May?
The pronunciation of May is clear and monosyllabic. In German, the name is usually pronounced as 'Mey' [meɪ], with the diphthong 'ey' creating a smooth, elegant sound movement. The soft M at the beginning gives the name a warm entry, while the open ending maintains a certain lightness. May thus radiates a simple and stylish elegance that feels modern and sonically bright.
When is the name day of May?
The name days for May fall on February 20, April 9, August 15, September 12, and December 8.
Popularity
In Germany, May is a fairly popular first name. Currently, it ranks 1,333rd on the list of the most common female baby names. The name achieved its best ranking in 2012 at 443rd place. Over the last ten years, May has been given about 350 times, placing it 1,092nd in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 891st.
Nicknames & pet names
Maya / Maybell / Maychen / Mayi / Mayli / Maymay / Mayo / Maysche / Mayush / My
Famous people
- Beryl May Jessie Toye (English film director)
- Betty May Adams (American actress)
- Eileen May Duggan (New Zealand poet)
- Elizabeth May Brice (English actress)
- Georgia May Jagger (model)
- Lucy May Barker (actress from England)
- May Ayim (German poet)
- May Brahe (Australian composer)
- May Britt (Swedish actress)
- May Britt Nilsen (Norwegian cyclist)
- May Byron (British poet)
- May de Sousa (American singer)
- May Edginton (British writer)
- May Emory (American actress)
- May Gibbs (English writer)
- May Gorslin Preston Slosson (American philosopher)
- May Hariri (actress from Lebanon)
- May Herschel-Clarke (English writer)
- May Kassab (Egyptian singer)
- May Lo (Hong Kong actress)
Frequently asked questions about the name May
What does the name May mean?
The name May means 'the one born in May' and has its roots in Old English and Latin. It is also associated with Mary and Margaret, each of which has significant cultural origins.
What nicknames are there for May?
There are numerous possible nicknames for the name May, including Maya, Maybell, Maychen, Mayi, and Mayli. These variants offer a lovely way to personalize the name.
How is the name May pronounced?
The name May is generally pronounced like 'Mei'. The spelling is clear and straightforward, making it easy to use in various countries.
Is May a common name for girls?
May has been used as a first name since the late 19th century and enjoys a certain popularity in various cultures. It is particularly associated with the month of May and the names Mary and Margaret.