Names › Girls' names › M › Mae
Mae
Meaning: variant of May (from Mary or Margaret) · Origin: English · Gender: usually a girl's name
Origin & history
An old pet form of Mary and Margaret, now often used as a middle name. Mae West and astronaut Mae Jemison made it bold.
Famous people named Mae
- Mae Jemison (astronaut)
- Mae West (actor)
Nicknames
Maisie
Variants & related names
May, Mai
Mae name art
A free preview of a printable “Mae” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Mae mean?
Mae means “variant of May (from Mary or Margaret)”. It comes from English.
Is Mae a popular name?
Yes — Mae has been one of the most popular girls' names in the United States in the 2020s, according to US Social Security Administration baby-name data.
What are nicknames for Mae?
Maisie.
What are other forms of Mae?
May, Mai.
Similar names
Avery · Ellie · Madison · Willow · Ivy · Everly
More: names starting with M · all girls' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.