May, derived from the month it often signifies birth, is a delightful and familiar given name. It shares its root with the Latin 'Maius,' meaning 'bigger' or 'greater.' This charming name has been popular throughout history, particularly among English-speaking countries. May is simple yet elegant, conveying a sense of warmth and pleasantness, much like the season it represents.
The name May experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. Between 1882 and 1945, there were 342 recorded births with the first name May, peaking in 1917 with 21 births and dropping to as low as five births in certain years. After a gap of nearly four decades, the name re-emerged with nine births in 1982, followed by varying numbers up until 1996, totaling an additional 357 births for a combined total of 699 over these periods.