Mei, derived from the Chinese character '梅', means 'plum' or 'beauty'. It is a popular feminine given name in several East Asian countries, including China, Japan, and Korea. The plum blossom holds significant cultural symbolism across these regions, representing strength, beauty, and perseverance despite harsh winter conditions. Mei is often used as a standalone name but can also be part of composite names like Meiying or Meizhu.
The name Mei has seen significant popularity and consistency over the years, with a total of 1639 births recorded between 1947 and 2023. The highest number of births occurred recently, with 79 in 2023. There were notable peaks in the late 1970s and early 1980s, as well as consistently high numbers from the mid-1990s onwards.