Rising since 2016, #2,998 for girls today.
Popularity of Mai since 1880
Babies named Mai per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 12 |
| 1890s | 30 |
| 1900s | 29 |
| 1910s | 83 |
| 1920s | 128 |
| 1930s | 94 |
| 1940s | 45 |
| 1950s | 77 |
| 1960s | 107 |
| 1970s | 252 |
| 1980s | 1,586 |
| 1990s | 1,656 |
| 2000s | 746 |
| 2010s | 516 |
| 2020s | 316 |
Meaning & origin
Mai is a short, international name with several distinct origins. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1880, but its popularity peaked in 1990. Since 2016, it has been on a rising trajectory, currently ranking 2,998 (1 in 29,223) in 2025. The name is most common in California and Texas. Its meaning varies by culture: in Japanese it often signifies 'dance' or 'brightness', in Vietnamese 'apricot blossom', and in Western contexts it references the month of May. This multicultural versatility makes Mai a subtle yet meaningful choice for families with diverse heritage.
The name Mai has multiple origins. In Japanese, it can derive from the character 舞 (mai, 'dance') or 真 (ma, 'true, real') combined with 衣 (i, 'garment') or other combinations. In Vietnamese, it is a common feminine name meaning 'apricot blossom' or 'flower'. In Scandinavia, Mai is a variant of May, derived from the month name, itself from the Roman goddess Maia. In English, it is occasionally used as a short form of Mary or Margaret, or directly from the month. The name has seen international use, particularly in Japan and Vietnam, and has been given in the United States since the late 19th century.
Where Mai is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Mai” around the world
Where Mai lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
10
babies in 2024
Ireland
5
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Mai
Names that share Mai's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Lily, Hana, Yuki, Linh, Mia, Ami, Thao, Phuong, Diem, Ha, Hang, Hanh, Huong, Lan, Ngoc, Nhi, Thi, Thu, Trang, Vy, Anh, Chau, Choua, Duyen, Houa, Masa, Ngan, Nhu, Nhung, Oanh, Quyen, Quynh, Shoua, Thuy, Tran, Truc, Tuyen, Uyen, Vung, Xuan, Phung, Youa, Anhthu, Aoki, Bich, Hser, Huyen, Kabao, Kieu, Lien, Mylinh, Nga, Pahoua, Pakou, Soo, Soua, Tuyet, Yen
Brothers: Kai, Kaito, Minh, Soren, Leo, Khang, Le, Long, Nam, Quan, Tai, Thai, Thanh, Tou, Tuan, Vinh, Binh, Cuong, Dat, Duc, Dung, Duy, Hien, Hieu, Hoa, Hoang, Hung, Khoa, Khoi, Kien, Kou, Lam, Liem, Loan, Phong, Quang, Quoc, Thang, Thien, Toan, Trung, Tu, Viet, Vu, Chue, Dang, Dao, Huy, Kiet, Nguyen, Nhan, Nhia, Phu, Phuc, Seng, Thinh, Thong, Tien, Truong, Vang, Zuko, Vuong, Cung, Danh, Duong, Hau, Hiep, Mong, Moua, Nghia, Phuoc, Quy, Thuan, Toua, Tung, Vong
