Mae
MAY
Mae is a variant spelling of May, which arose as a pet form of Mary and Margaret before becoming associated with the month of May. Mary traces to the Hebrew Miryam, while Margaret comes from the Greek margaritēs meaning “pearl.”
The -ae spelling became standard in the American South during the 19th century. Mae was commonly used as both a standalone name and a popular middle name, a tradition that persists today.
The name peaked at No. 52 in 1892 with 1,101 births. In 2024, Mae ranks No. 530 with 574 births, buoyed by the vintage-name revival and its popularity as a middle name.
What the name Mae means
Mae West (1893–1980) made the name legendary through her bold comedic persona. NASA mathematician Mae Jemison became the first African American woman in space in 1992, adding a groundbreaking association.
One syllable—MAY—is as concise as a name can be. The open vowel sound feels warm and inviting, making it an exceptionally versatile choice for pairing with longer surnames.
Modern parents use Mae as both a first and middle name with equal frequency. Its simplicity makes it an ideal bridge between more complex first and last names.
Related forms include May (standard spelling), Mai (Scandinavian/Vietnamese), and Maeve (Irish, with a different etymology). All share a similar sound profile.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Mae
Mae - similar names
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