What origin is the name May?

May comes from english naming traditions. Names from this origin often carry meanings tied to nature, virtues or heritage.

Is May a popular name?

May is very rare in official US birth records — fewer than 5 babies of this gender were given the name in any year we checked.

Yes. May does not appear in US Social Security birth records, which list every name given to at least 5 babies, so it is rare in the US.

What are good brother names for May?

Names from the same english tradition pair naturally with May — for example Mason, Jackson, Carter. You can browse more on our english names page.

May

Discover the meaning and origin of the name May

May

Unisex

english

1 syllable

May is an english unisex name meaning "Month name; from mary; diminutive of mary: wished-for child; rebellion; bitter; scottish form of margaret: pearl; old arabic name".

With english roots, May is a unisex name that means "Month name; from mary; diminutive of mary: wished-for child; rebellion; bitter; scottish form of margaret: pearl; old arabic name". At just 3 letters, it is short and easy to say. It has 1 syllable.

Origin: english
Gender: Unisex
Syllables: 1

Meaning compiled from public name lists.

Meaning

Month name; from mary; diminutive of mary: wished-for child; rebellion; bitter; scottish form of margaret: pearl; old arabic name

Popularity

Very rare in US records (source: US Social Security Administration birth records (best rank 2008–2017))

Quick answers about May

Very rare in US records

What does May mean?

May is a unisex name of english origin meaning "Month name; from mary; diminutive of mary: wished-for child; rebellion; bitter; scottish form of margaret: pearl; old arabic name".

Is May a rare name?

Yes. May does not appear in official US birth records for 2017, meaning fewer than 5 babies got the name that year.

Brother names that go with May

Mason Jackson Carter Wyatt Tyler Grayson

Combine May with another name

Our free name combiner blends two names into new baby name ideas.

Names with a similar meaning to May

May means "Month name; from mary; diminutive of mary: wished-for child; rebellion; bitter; scottish form of margaret: pearl; old arabic name" — these names share that spirit.