A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of May since 1880
Babies named May per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1919, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, May's real moment was 1880.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 5,881 |
| 1890s | 6,880 |
| 1900s | 5,546 |
| 1910s | 8,096 |
| 1920s | 8,164 |
| 1930s | 3,743 |
| 1940s | 2,319 |
| 1950s | 1,724 |
| 1960s | 1,111 |
| 1970s | 911 |
| 1980s | 1,223 |
| 1990s | 815 |
| 2000s | 884 |
| 2010s | 1,199 |
| 2020s | 904 |
Meaning & origin
May is a name of uncertain origin, possibly deriving as a diminutive of Mary or Margaret, or from the spring month. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1880, ranking 1229th most popular in 2025. Its peak year was 1880, and since 1998 it has been rising again, most popular in states like Oregon, Washington, and Utah. May remains a simple, sweet choice for girls.
May has multiple possible origins. It may derive as a diminutive of Mary or Margaret, or from the name of the spring month, which itself comes from the Roman goddess Maia. The name was first recorded in the United States in 1880 and has seen periodic revivals.
Where May 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.
“May” around the world
Where May lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
40
babies in 2024
Ireland
4
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Sibling names for May
Names that share May's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: June, April, Rose, Grace, Eva, Gay, Nell, Apryl, Bell, January, Lu, October, Raeann, Somer, Any, Aprile, Aprill, Marche, Marrie, Aprille, Goldia, Man, March, Okie, September, Rosell, Airlie, Apryle, Leaner
Brothers: Jack, Max, James, Charles, George, Abe, Edd, Mearl, Cy, Green, Sim, Boy, Erle, Tin, Bow, Council, Jimie, Loys, Burch, Chin, Crit, Dink, Wing
