Girl Name
May
May is a girl's name whose meaning is not firmly attested in the historical record. It is used as a girl's name across several naming traditions, and in 2026 it sits in the Top 1000 of US baby names.
Considering May? It is a girl name, and ranks in our Top 1000 popularity tier. Phonetically it shares territory with Mae.
May meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: May has a distinctive sound and evolving modern usage.
Origin: Multiple naming traditions are associated with this name.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces May as M·A·Y, with 3 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, May is distinctive but not obscure in the Top 1000 tier.
May variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Maya, Maye, Mayy.
- Nicknames: May works as its own nickname.
- Middle names: Pair May with a middle name that balances its short sound; start with the May middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Mae, Mai, Mayo, Maya, Maia — full picks on the sibling names for May guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like May? Browse our names like May guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about May
What does the name May mean?
May has no single meaning that is firmly attested in the historical record. It is used as a girl name in US birth records, and parents usually choose it for its sound rather than a documented meaning.
What is the origin of May?
The exact origin of May is debated, but it has been used across multiple naming traditions.
How do you pronounce May?
May has 3 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is May a boy's or girl's name?
May is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is May in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, May sits in the Top 1000 tier — distinctive but not obscure.
What names are similar to May?
Names that share May's sound and style include Mae, Mai, Mayo, Maya, Maia.
What middle names pair well with May?
Good middle-name fits for May pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if May is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if May is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for May?
Sibling names that pair naturally with May share its rhythm without rhyming — Mae, Mai, Mayo all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.