May
From Middle English May, Mai, from Old French mai, from Latin Maius (“Maia's month”), from Maia, a Roman earth goddess.
Every May since 1880 — 50,099 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of May
May is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #1,233 in 2025 with 183 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1880, 50,099 American babies have been named May. Its peak came in 1919, when 991 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where May stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
May year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 183 | #1,233 | — | — |
| 2024 | 168 | #1,361 | — | — |
| 2023 | 156 | #1,437 | — | — |
| 2022 | 155 | #1,446 | — | — |
| 2021 | 123 | #1,690 | — | — |
| 2020 | 119 | #1,714 | — | — |
| 2019 | 133 | #1,602 | — | — |
| 2018 | 129 | #1,645 | — | — |
| 2017 | 128 | #1,682 | — | — |
| 2016 | 131 | #1,651 | — | — |
| 2015 | 130 | #1,652 | — | — |
| 2014 | 138 | #1,575 | — | — |
| 2013 | 109 | #1,859 | — | — |
| 2012 | 106 | #1,900 | — | — |
| 2011 | 88 | #2,170 | — | — |
| 2010 | 107 | #1,892 | — | — |
| 2009 | 80 | #2,413 | — | — |
| 2008 | 94 | #2,150 | — | — |
| 2007 | 92 | #2,171 | — | — |
| 2006 | 75 | #2,476 | — | — |
| 2005 | 95 | #2,000 | — | — |
| 2004 | 85 | #2,131 | — | — |
| 2003 | 92 | #1,980 | — | — |
| 2002 | 91 | #1,947 | — | — |
| 2001 | 91 | #1,917 | — | — |
| 2000 | 89 | #1,917 | — | — |
| 1995 | 83 | #1,757 | — | — |
| 1990 | 84 | #1,751 | 9 | #5,662 |
| 1985 | 135 | #1,079 | — | — |
| 1980 | 129 | #1,087 | 5 | #6,907 |
| 1975 | 89 | #1,262 | — | — |
| 1970 | 93 | #1,210 | — | — |
| 1965 | 109 | #999 | 7 | #3,447 |
| 1960 | 139 | #891 | 6 | #3,919 |
| 1955 | 183 | #695 | 6 | #3,753 |
| 1950 | 184 | #623 | 5 | #4,017 |
| 1945 | 203 | #514 | 5 | #3,620 |
| 1940 | 285 | #408 | 8 | #2,793 |
| 1935 | 352 | #338 | 9 | #2,649 |
| 1930 | 554 | #270 | 15 | #2,032 |
| 1925 | 849 | #221 | 22 | #1,660 |
| 1920 | 956 | #204 | 18 | #1,934 |
| 1915 | 974 | #175 | 16 | #1,854 |
| 1910 | 594 | #138 | 6 | #1,527 |
| 1905 | 530 | #119 | 6 | #1,187 |
| 1900 | 744 | #91 | 5 | #1,434 |
| 1895 | 691 | #80 | — | — |
| 1890 | 751 | #65 | 5 | #1,103 |
| 1885 | 607 | #61 | 5 | #1,039 |
| 1880 | 462 | #57 | — | — |
Famous people named May
- May Ziade Writer · 1886–1941
- May Britt Actor · b. 1933
- May Whitty Actor · 1865–1948
- May McAvoy Actor · 1899–1984
- May Sutton Tennis player · 1886–1975
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name May mean?
From Middle English May, Mai, from Old French mai, from Latin Maius (“Maia's month”), from Maia, a Roman earth goddess.
How popular is the name May in 2025?
May ranked #1,233 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 183 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named May?
50,099 babies have been named May in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name May most popular?
May peaked in 1919, when 991 newborns received the name.
Is May a boy or girl name?
May is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name May rising or falling?
May is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named May?
Well-known people named May include May Ziade (writer), May Britt (actor), May Whitty (actor).