May
Peaked at #57 nationally in 1880, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, May has been recorded 99% of the time for girls and 1% of the time for boys.
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May — Girls (United States)
StablePeak rank
#57
in 1880
Current rank
#1357
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Stable
May was already at its most popular for girls in 1880 (the earliest year in this data, ranked #57), with 462 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #1575 (2014) to #1357 (2024) — a 14% improvement.
As of 2024, May ranks #1357 nationally for girls, with 168 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #1,357 | 168 |
| 2023 | #1,433 | 156 |
| 2022 | #1,446 | 155 |
| 2021 | #1,705 | 122 |
| 2020 | #1,712 | 119 |
| 2019 | #1,601 | 133 |
| 2018 | #1,645 | 129 |
| 2017 | #1,681 | 128 |
May — Boys (United States)
FallingPeak rank
#632
in 1888
Last ranked
#8623
in 1996
Years tracked
76
1882–1996
Trend
Falling
Tracked since 1882, May reached its peak popularity for boys in 1888, ranking #632 nationally with 11 babies given the name that year.
May hasn't appeared among the national top ranks for boys since 1996, when it stood at #8623.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | #8,623 | 6 |
| 1992 | #7,152 | 7 |
| 1991 | #7,017 | 7 |
| 1990 | #5,662 | 9 |
| 1989 | #7,587 | 6 |
| 1988 | #4,357 | 11 |
| 1987 | #6,659 | 6 |
| 1986 | #5,164 | 8 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was May most popular?
May was most popular in 1880, when it ranked #57 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is May becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently stable; for boys, it's currently falling, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named May?
At least 49,915 babies have been recorded with the name May in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like May? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.