Holding steady.
Popularity of Mayme since 1880
Babies named Mayme per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1915, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Mayme's real moment was 1886.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 1,841 |
| 1890s | 2,098 |
| 1900s | 1,589 |
| 1910s | 2,208 |
| 1920s | 1,672 |
| 1930s | 641 |
| 1940s | 303 |
| 1950s | 157 |
| 1960s | 103 |
| 1970s | 76 |
| 1980s | 74 |
| 1990s | 45 |
| 2000s | 45 |
| 2010s | 47 |
| 2020s | 29 |
Meaning & origin
Mayme emerged as a given name in the United States during the 1880s, a decade when diminutive nicknames often became standalone names. It reached its peak rank in 1886, but its usage has since declined. In the most recent year with data, the name does not appear in the top 1000, reflecting a trajectory of stable but minimal use. As a first recorded name in 1880, Mayme belongs to an era when names like Mamie and Minnie were fashionable. Its top states of usage historically include areas in the Midwest and Northeast, though specific state data is not available. Mayme remains a rare choice today, associated with late 19th-century Americana.
Mayme is generally considered a variant of Mamie, itself a diminutive of Mary or Margaret. Mary derives from the Hebrew name Miriam, while Margaret comes from the Greek margarites, meaning 'pearl.' Mayme emerged in the late 19th century, particularly in the United States, as a familiar nickname that sometimes became a given name in its own right.
Where Mayme 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.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: May
Variants: Mamie, Maimie
Sibling names for Mayme
Names that share Mayme's style, for a brother or sister.
