How to Pronounce May
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May name meaning
Last Name
103k
in the U.S.
in 2010
103k
in the U.S.
in 2010
Girls
Boys
Meaning and Origin
What does the name May mean? Keep reading to find the user submitted meanings, dictionary definitions, and more.
Origin and Meaning of May
User Submitted Origins
English
73%
Arabic
13%
Filipino (Philippines)
11%
Chinese
3%
User Submitted Meanings
- A user from Mexico says the name May means "A mystic and sophisticated being. Always searching for something beyond this universe. Someone magical who inspires you to be yourself and who is not afraid to be creative. A fun human".
- According to a user from Virginia, U.S., the name May is of Mexican origin and means "Fun, mystical, creative".
- According to a user from Kuwait, the name May means "A flower".
- A user from Switzerland says the name May is of Chinese origin and means "A flower that blooms in spring in Cantonese".
- A submission from the United Kingdom says the name May means "Flowers".
- 2 submissions from the United Kingdom and Nigeria agree the name May means "joy" and is of English / African origin.
- A submission from Australia says the name May means "The name May means Goddess Maia Or Family Of Matthew and is of English origin" and is of English origin.
- A submission from Georgia, U.S. says the name May means "Born in May".
- According to a user from Maryland, U.S., the name May is of English origin and means "5th month".
- According to a user from California, U.S., the name May is of Egyptian origin and means "A new begining".
International Interest
Also see international interest
Webster's Unabridged Dictionary
verb May
An auxiliary verb qualifying the meaning of another verb,Ability, competency, or possibility; -- now oftener expressed by can.Liberty; permission; allowance.Contingency or liability; possibility or probability.Modesty, courtesy, or concession, or a desire to soften a question or remark.Desire or wish, as in prayer, imprecation, benediction, and the like.
Etymology: AS. pres. mæg I am able, pret. meahte mihte; akin to D. mogen, G. mögen, OHG. mugan magan, Icel. mega, Goth. magan, Russ. moche. √103. Cf. Dismay Main strength, Might. The old imp. mought is obsolete, except as a provincial word
noun May
A maiden.
Etymology: Cf. Icel. mær, Goth. mawi; akin to E. maiden. √103
noun May
Senses
- The fifth month of the year, containing thirty-one days.
- The early part or springtime of life."His May of youth, and bloom of lustihood." [Shak.]
- [Bot] The flowers of the hawthorn; -- so called from their time of blossoming; also, the hawthorn."The palm and may make country houses gay." [Nash.]"Plumes that mocked the may." [Tennyson.]
- The merrymaking of May Day.
Etymology: F. Mai, L. Maius; so named in honor of the goddess MaiaGr. Mai^a), daughter of Atlas and mother of Mercury by Jupiter
Other Dictionary Sources
- Thorny Eurasian shrub of small tree having dense clusters of white to scarlet flowers followed by deep red berries; established as an escape in eastern North America
- The month following April and preceding June
Wiktionary
From Middle English May, Mai, from Old French mai, from Latin māius (“Maia's month”), from Maia, a Roman earth goddess, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *magya (“she who is great”), from Proto-Indo-European *méǵh₂s (“great”)
- The fifth month of the Gregorian calendar, following April and preceding June.
- A female given name from English, pet name for Mary and Margaret, reinforced by the month and plant meaning.
- A surname.
May was also found in the following language(s): Cebuano, Middle French, Norwegian, Swedish, and Tagalog
Notable Persons Named May
Notable Persons Named May
May Pang
May Pang is a personal assistant, production coordinator, jewellery designer, author, production manager (theatre), jewelry design, and jewellery designerand author. May was born on October 24th, 1950 in New York, US.
May Reilly Parker Jameson
May Reilly Parker Jameson is a comics character.
May Britt
May Britt is an actress and singer. Her career lasted from 1952 to 1988. May was given the name Maybritt Wilkens on March 22nd, 1934 in Lidingö.
May Helen Emma Abel Smith
May Helen Emma Abel Smith was royalty. She holds the title Born Princess May of Teck. May was born as the child of Alexander Cambridge, 1st Earl of Athlone, Princess Alice, and Countess of Athlone on January 23rd, 1906. She breathed her last breath on May 29th, 1994.
May J.
May J. is a contemporary r&b, urban contemporary, and pop music singing and television presenter. She was most prominent from 2006 to 2006. May was given the name May Hashimoto on June 20th, 1988. May is also known as May J..
May Ling Su
May was born in Philippines.
- May AndersenModel
- May MahlanguSoccer Player
- May RobsonActress
- Monica LewisSinger
- May GibbsWriter
- May McAvoyActress
- May Alcott NierikerArtist
- May SinclairWriter
- May ZiadeWriter
- May Berenbaum
- May MorrisEmbroidery Designer
- May IrwinActress
- May YohéMusical Actress
- May AllisonActress
Notable Persons With the Last Name May
Notable Persons With the Last Name May
Theresa May
Theresa May is a Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Transport, Home Secretary, Minister for Women, Equalities, Shadow Secretary of State for Work, Pensions, Shadow Minister for Women, Equality, Shadow Leader of the House of Commons, Shadow Secretary of State for C. Theresa was born on October 1st, 1956 in Eastbourne.
Brian May
Brian May is a rock music musician. He plays Red Special and Fender Telecaster. He has had major accomplishments since 1965. Brian was given the name Brian Harold May on July 19th, 1947 in Hampton, Middlesex, England.
James May
James May is a television presenter, author, columnist, journalist, and wine critic. His most notable accomplishments were from 1998 to present. James was given the name James Daniel May on January 16th, 1963 in Bristol. James is also known as Captain Slow.
Imelda May
Imelda May is a rockabilly, blues, jazz, pop music, and soul music singer-songwriter, composer, and television presenter. She plays Guitar, Bodhrán, Tambourine, Bass guitar, and Vocals. She was most active from 2002 to present. Imelda was given the name Imelda Mary Clabby on July 10th, 1974 in Dublin.
Jeannie Berlin
Jeannie Berlin is an actress and writer. She has been prominent since 1969. Jeannie was given the name Jeannie Brette May by her parent Elaine May on November 1st, 1949 in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Elaine May
Elaine May is a screenwriter, film director, actress, and comedian. Her career lasted from 1958 to 2000. Elaine was given the name Elaine Iva Berlin on April 21st, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Common last names for May
Ethnicity Distribution
| Ethnicity | May | U.S. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| █ | White | 83.55% | 64.26% |
| █ | African American | 9.57% | 11.96% |
| █ | Asian, Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander | 1.22% | 4.85% |
| █ | American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.73% | 0.69% |
| █ | Two or More Ethnicities | 1.89% | 1.76% |
| █ | Hispanic or Latino | 3.04% | 16.26% |
Of Last Name May
People with the last name May are most frequently White
Entire United States
Fun Facts about the name May
| #304 | Popular Surnames |
| #72 | Last Name First Names |
| #86 | Old-Fashioned Girl Names |