Mae is a bright little spark lifted straight from the Latin “Maius,” the month dedicated to Maia, the Roman goddess who paints the world with spring flowers; no wonder the name feels like a fistful of fresh petals. Often chosen as a vintage twist on Mary or Margaret, Mae carries the soft rhythm of a lullaby yet the quick wink of Hollywood legends like Mae West and the sky-chasing spirit of astronaut Mae Jemison. In the United States her popularity once drifted like a quiet breeze, but—much like May blossoms after a rain—she’s opening up again, climbing steadily through the ranks over the past decade. Short, sweet, and easy as sunshine, Mae suits parents who want a name that says “hola” to heritage, nods to nature, and grows with a girl from cradle to cap-and-gown.
Mae West was an iconic American entertainer and sex symbol known for her seven-decade career, confident characters, and witty double entendres. |
Mae Carol Jemison made history as the first African-American woman to travel into space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992. |
Mae Margaret Whitman is an American actor who began as a child star and gained recognition for roles in Arrested Development, Parenthood, and Good Girls, earning award nominations. |
Holly Mae Muller is an English singer who gained fame in 2021 and represented the UK in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. |
Mae Mercer was an American blues singer and actress born in the Temperance Hall community of Edgecombe County. |