Home Name Meanings May

May Name Meaning, Origin & History

Name Meaning & Origin

May

🔊 MAY  /meɪ/

"Mythos: Goddess of fertility, Matrona: Mother goddess"

(Greek) Origin Christianity Predominantly Female 📈 Peak 1919 👥 49,915 in US Christian Biblical Spiritual
📖
Meaning
Mythos: Goddess of fertility, Matrona: Mother goddess
🌍
Origin
(Greek)
👥
US Bearers
49,915
Life Path
Number 5

📖 What Does May Mean?

The name May is derived from the Greek word Maia, meaning ‘mother’. This name was also used for the Roman goddess of fertility, Matrona. In Christian tradition, May is associated with the Virgin Mary and the month of May, a time of growth and renewal.

🌐 From Wikipedia Source ↗

May is an English feminine given name. It is derived from the name of the month, which comes from Maia, the name of a Roman fertility goddess. The name May is also used as a pet form of Mary and Margaret.…

Root Element
May
Core Meaning
"Mythos: Goddess of fertility, Matrona: Mother goddess"
Language
English, Greek, Latin
Themes
Hope · Faith · Love

🌐 May in Different Languages

🇬🇧 English
May
Derived from Latin 'maia', meaning great or motherly

The name May originates from the Latin word 'maia', meaning 'great' or 'motherly'. It is associated with the Greek goddess Maia, a maternal figure. In Christian tradition, May symbolizes renewal, spri…

Personality of May

Emotional Traits

Kind Compassionate Nurturing

Hidden Personality

C = Courageous
S = Sensible

🍀 Lucky Attributes

📅
Lucky Day
Sunday
🔢
Lucky Number
3
💎
Lucky Stone
Diamond
🌟
Life Path
5

Lucky Colors

Green
Yellow

Numerology: Those with the life path number 5 are known to be adventurous, intuitive, and capable of adapting to new situations.

🔢 Numerology of May

M 4
A 1
Y 7
SUM 3
3
Life Path
Creativity & Expression
1
Soul Urge
Independence & Leadership
11
Personality
Intuition & Insight

Life Path 3 — Creativity & Expression: Charismatic, artistic, and highly communicative.

🕊️ Cultural & Spiritual Significance

Cultural Impact

The name May holds cultural significance as it was named after the Greek goddess Maia, who represented motherhood, growth, and renewal. In this sense, the name is associated with nurturing, fertility, and new beginnings. In many cultures around the world, May is also known as a month of celebration, with a number of holidays and festivals taking place during this time.

Spiritual Significance

From a spiritual perspective, the name May is often linked to the Virgin Mary, who is celebrated as the mother of Jesus, the son of God. The month of May, which holds great significance for Christians around the world, is dedicated to Mary and is a time of prayer, devotion, and reflection. For those who hold the name May, it can be seen as a reminder to nurture and care for others, and to seek spiritual growth and renewal in their own lives.

Gender Distribution

♂ Male1%
♀ Female99%

Based on 49,915 US Social Security records

📈 US Popularity

Total US bearers 49,915
Peak year 1919 (991)
First recorded 1880
Last recorded 2024
Gender Predominantly Female
Full US statistics →

🗺️ Global Popularity

Overall Popularity Score 55/100
🌍 Brazil
61%
🌍 Spain
51%

Historical Journey

🌱
Ancient Roots

Root element "May" emerges in (Greek) tradition, carrying the core meaning "Mythos: Goddess of fertility, Matrona: Mother goddess".

📜
Classical Period

Used in English literary and religious texts, spreading through cultural exchange.

⚔️
Medieval Period

Carried across regions through trade, religion, and migration. Multiple spelling variants develop.

🌊
Modern Adoption

Standardized in its current form, established across English-speaking and Muslim communities.

📈
Today (2026)

~49,915 people named May in the US. Peaked in 1919 with 991 recorded uses.

🏛️
Middle Ages

Historical records show that May Day celebrations in medieval Europe The name May carried significant spiritual weight in that era.

Modern Usage

The name May remains relevant in modern Christian society, representing a bridge between traditional Biblical values and contemporary life. It is widely discussed on digital platforms and continues to be a popular choice for families seeking meaningful Christian names.

Famous People Named May

M
Mayim Bialik
M
Maya Rudolph
M
Maya Angelou

Frequently Asked Questions

What does May mean?

May means "Mythos: Goddess of fertility, Matrona: Mother goddess" and is a popular Christian name with deep spiritual significance.

Is May a good Christian name?

Yes, May is a beautiful Christian name that carries positive meaning and is widely used in Christian communities around the world.

What is the origin of the name May?

May has (Greek) origins and is rooted in Christian tradition and culture.

What is the numerology number for May?

The Life Path number for May is 3, associated with Creativity & Expression. Soul Urge: 1. Personality: 11.

Is May a boy or girl name?

May is Predominantly Female. Based on US data, 1% male and 99% female.

How many people are named May in the US?

Approximately 49,915 people in the United States are named May. The name peaked in 1919 with 991 recorded uses.

🔗 Related & Similar Names

Related Names

Maya Mai Maia

Similar Sounding

Mae Maiya Mya

From Our Database

Mary meaning Mark meaning Mia meaning Mike meaning Max meaning

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