Mae

girlEnglish

Mae is an girl name of English origin, meaning “Pet form of Mary or Margaret; May”.

MeaningPet form of Mary or Margaret; May
GenderGirl
OriginEnglish
PronunciationMAY
TraditionModern & Classic
Used inUnited States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada

Meaning and origin of Mae

Mae began as a variant spelling of May, which was used as a pet form of Mary and Margaret and later also linked with the month of May. The month itself is named after the Roman goddess Maia, which is where the 'goddess of spring' explanation comes from. Mae was popular in the US around 1900, and the actress Mae West made it famous. Today it is fashionable again, both on its own and as a middle name.

Is Mae a religious name?

Mae has no direct religious background, though its use as a nickname for Mary links it indirectly to a Christian name.

How popular is Mae?

Very common as a middle name and increasingly used as a first name in English-speaking countries.

Gifts with the name Mae

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Spellings and variants of Mae

Names similar to Mae

More girl names

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Mae mean?

Mae means 'Pet form of Mary or Margaret; May'. It is of English origin.

Does Mae have a religious meaning?

Mae has no direct religious background, though its use as a nickname for Mary links it indirectly to a Christian name.

How do you pronounce Mae?

Mae is pronounced MAY.

Is Mae a boy or girl name?

Mae is usually a girl name.

Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.