Idamae

Meaning & origin

Idamae is a double-barreled feminine name that saw its highest recorded usage during the 1910s, peaking in 1917. The name combines two vintage favorites: Ida, a name of uncertain but likely Germanic origin meaning 'industrious one', and Mae, a variant of May. In the United States, Idamae has never been a common choice, with a current popularity rank of 13,208 and an incidence of only 1 in every 267,878 baby girls born in 2025. The name's trajectory suggests it has remained stable over the decades, never experiencing a significant revival. While no top states are listed for Idamae, it likely belonged to the broader trend of compound names popular in the early 20th century, especially in rural and Southern communities. This combination offers a distinct, ye olde charm for parents seeking a vintage-sounding name with personal family significance.

Idamae is a compound name formed from Ida and Mae, both popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ida itself has debated roots, possibly from the Germanic element 'id' meaning 'labor' or 'work', or from the Greek 'ida' referring to Mount Ida. Mae emerged as a nickname for Mary or Margaret before becoming a standalone name. The combination Idamae reflects the early 20th-century fashion for double names, particularly in the American South.