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May

Girl name · 185 babies recorded · 1974–2025

May: 185 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 11 births in 2025.

The name May is primarily a diminutive of Mary or Margaret, ultimately deriving from the Hebrew *Miryam*, meaning "drop of the sea" or "bitter," though its modern use is also directly linked to the fifth month of the year, named for the Roman goddess Maia, who represented growth and spring. One of its most famous bearers was the pioneering American activist May Sarton, celebrated for her poetry and novels. The name also calls to mind the month itself, which shares its origin with the goddess and is often associated with fertility and renewal. Notable variants include the French form Mai, while May remains a classic, gentle choice, especially beloved in Scotland as a vintage short form that has retained its enduring, blossoming charm.