Names that include “May” range from vintage classics to modern inventions, from straightforward uses to creative smooshes. They all share a bright, springlike sound that evokes the warmth and freshness of the month.
Mae is a favorite for its simplicity and elegance. The “e” spelling appears in the U.S. Top 1000, while the “y” spelling is less common, but the familiar sound is widely used across many names.
Names inspired by the month don’t have to literally include the letters M-A-Y to nod to May. Some parents prefer names linked to May’s symbols—Taurus and Gemini, the emerald birthstone, or the lily of the valley—each offering a subtler connection to the month.
Historically Mae and May were short forms of Mary, Maria, and Margaret; today they often stand alone as given names. If it’s the sound you love, the following list highlights names with May embedded in them, organized by style and origin.
POPULAR MAY BABY NAMES
AMAIA and AMAYA
Amaia is originally Basque and means “the end.” While the letters M-A-Y appear, Amaia is usually pronounced with a long “i” sound, similar to Maya, and is appreciated for its melodious quality.
MAE
Often used as a middle name, Mae also stands strongly as a first name. Notable Mae bearers include actress Mae West and astronaut Mae Jemison. The name feels both classic and understated.
MAEVE
Of Irish origin, Maeve means “intoxicating.” It’s a fashionable choice that subtly evokes the season while offering rich heritage and a distinctive sound.
MAIA and MAYA
Maya is connected to a Roman goddess of spring and carries the “may” sound directly. Maia, a Greek myth name (one of the Pleiades), is another attractive variant. Both forms have been popular in the U.S. for years.
MAISIE
Maisie began as a Scottish pet form of Margaret but now stands independently. Variants include Maisy, Maizy, and Mayzie, all keeping the Mae sound intact.
MAVIS
Originally a name for a songbird, Mavis has been in use since the late 19th century and offers a strong, vintage sound with a clear “May” element.
DOUBLE NAMES
ANNAMAE
A vintage-feeling compound name that blends the timeless Anna with Mae for a warm, familiar sound.
BELLAMAE
Bellamae updates the surname-style Bellamy into a softer given-name form while preserving a lyrical quality.
ELLAMAE
A predictable mash-up of Ella and Mae, this combination saw 62 girls given the name in 2023, remaining uncommon but charming.
LILYMAE
Combining lily (a spring flower) with Mae makes a clear floral nod to the season.
LULAMAE
Made famous in fiction as Lula Mae Barnes, this blend has a nostalgic, Southern charm that feels ready for revival.
MAYANA
Mayana resembles a May-Ana blend and also names a plant with colorful leaves, placing it in a floral/green category.
MAYBELLE
Evoking Mabel but shaped to emphasize “May belle,” this elaboration feels both vintage and melodic; Maebelle is an alternate spelling.
MAYBLOSSOM
Sometimes used for hawthorn, Mayblossom is an uncommon floral name with literary and theatrical echoes across the past century, making it rare but whimsical.
MAYFAIR
Derived from the May Fair, and later the name of a fashionable London neighborhood, Mayfair suggests seasonal lightness and understated elegance.
MAYFLOWER
Both a historic ship and a floral term for hawthorn, Mayflower carries strong imagery and a clear connection to the month.
ROSAMAE
Combining Rose with Mae, Rosamae sits comfortably among plentiful rose-inspired names, offering vintage warmth with a lively sound.
SARAMAE
Sarah combined with Mae produces a gentle, classic-sounding name that feels both simple and sweet.
STELLAMAE
Stellamae blends Stella and Mae and may also hint at Stella Maris (“Star of the Sea”), a traditional title for Mary.
MODERN MAES
ESMAE
A phonetic spelling of Esme that clarifies pronunciation while keeping the Mae sound intact.
MABRY
Mabry (also Maebry or Maybree) mixes Mae with the breezy -bry ending; it may derive from a place name and has a contemporary, surname-inspired feel.
MACY
Often associated with the department store, Macy remains a lively surname-turned-first-name with the “May” sound up front.
MAEBY
Popularized by a television character, Maeby blends Maisy and Phoebe in origin stories and fits within quirky, modern naming trends.
MAELYNN
Maelynn joins other -lynn names as a modern creation; multiple spellings are common.
MAVEN
A bold word-name gaining traction for girls, Maven comes from Hebrew and means “one who understands.”
MAVERY
Mavery (or Maevery) merges May with Avery for a fresh, contemporary hybrid.
MAYBELLINE
Used occasionally since the 1920s, Maybelline likely gained visibility from the cosmetics brand name and from musical references; it carries a vintage-commercial charm.
MAYLEE
Following trends set by names like Hailee and Kaylee, Maylee is a modern, melodic creation that briefly charted in the U.S. Top 1000.
MAYS, MAYES
As surnames, Mays or Mayes can derive from Matthew, Thomas, or place names. They’re flexible options that fit current surname-as-first-name trends.
MAYSILEE
Introduced in popular fiction, Maysilee is a distinctive, literary name that appears among imaginative character choices.
MAYSON
A masculine-sounding surname name like Mason adapted as Mayson or Maysen can be used for boys or girls, following modern unisex naming patterns.
IMPORTED NAMES WITH MAY IN THEM
MAELLE
Common in French-speaking countries, Maëlle derives from a fifth-century saint’s name and from a Celtic root meaning “prince.” The pronunciation varies by language, and the spelling may challenge English speakers.
MAELYS
Related to Maëlle, Maëlys shares similar French roots and a soft, elegant sound.
MAEVA
Maeva, used in Tahitian and French contexts, means “welcome” and offers an accessible, international-sounding alternative to Maeve.
MAEWYN
Sometimes cited as a masculine name and occasionally associated with the early name of St. Patrick, Maewyn is breezy and unusual.
MAI, MEI
Short names found across languages—Mai in Vietnamese and Mei in Chinese—carry meanings like “plum” or “beauty” and function well in many linguistic contexts.
MAJ
Maj is the Scandinavian spelling of May and stands as a spare, phonetic form; names like Maja and compounds like Majfrid are common in Nordic and Slavic regions.
MAIALEN
A Basque form related to Magdalene and Madeline, Maialen is also the name of a contemporary Basque poet and carries cultural depth and a lyrical quality.
MAYLIS
Maylis may derive from a French village name or from Marie plus lys (lily), blending floral and traditional elements.
MAYSA
An Arabic name meaning “sparkling star,” Maysa (also spelled Maysaa or Maïssa) is pronounced with three syllables in Arabic but can easily function as a May-related name in English contexts.
Do you have any favorite May names?
Originally published on May 4, 2012; substantially revised and republished on May 1, 2018; May 1, 2020; April 8, 2021; April 19, 2023; and March 27, 2025.