The name May is a feminine given name of English origin. It is derived from the name of the month May, which comes from the Roman goddess Maia, who was the daughter of Faunus and Fatua. Maia was an ancient Roman goddess of fertility, warmth, and springtime.

The name May has been in use since the Middle Ages, though it was not particularly common until the 19th century. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was May de Badlesmere, an English noblewoman who lived in the 13th century.

In medieval literature, the name May was often associated with the season of spring and the blossoming of flowers. The name appears in several works of literature from this period, including the 14th-century poem "The Cuckoo and the Nightingale" by Sir Geoffrey Chaucer.

During the Victorian era, the name May became increasingly popular in England and the United States. This was likely due to the romantic and floral associations of the name, which aligned with the sentimental values of the time.

One of the most famous historical figures named May was May Cartwright, an English noble and benefactor who lived from 1610 to 1680. Another notable bearer of the name was May Alcott, the youngest sister of author Louisa May Alcott, who lived from 1840 to 1879.

In the 20th century, May was a popular name in both the United States and the United Kingdom. One of the most famous women named May was May Whitty, an English actress who lived from 1865 to 1948 and won an Academy Award for her role in the film "Mrs. Miniver."

Another notable May was May Robson, an Australian-born American actress who lived from 1858 to 1942 and was known for her roles in films such as "Lady for a Day" and "Dinner at Eight."

Finally, May Wong, also known as Anna May Wong, was a Chinese-American actress who lived from 1905 to 1961 and was one of the first Asian-American actresses to gain international fame.