Find out how popular the first name Mays has been for the last 19 years (from 2006 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mays by gender

Based on the last 19 years of data, Mays is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 72% of people named Mays being male.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 11 male babies and 7 female babies born with the name Mays.

The history of the first name Mays

The given name Mays has its roots in the Latin language and can be traced back to ancient Roman times. It was derived from the Latin word "Maius," which referred to the month of May. This month was named after the Roman goddess Maia, who was associated with fertility and growth.

In Roman mythology, Maia was considered the mother of the god Mercury. Her name was connected to the idea of rebirth and renewal, as the month of May marked the beginning of the spring season. As a result, the name Mays carried connotations of vitality, abundance, and new beginnings.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mays can be found in ancient Roman documents and inscriptions. It was not an uncommon name among Roman citizens during the height of the Roman Empire, particularly among those with connections to agriculture or the worship of the goddess Maia.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mays. One of the earliest was Mays Marcius, a Roman consul who lived in the 3rd century BC. Another notable figure was Mays Valerius, a Roman military commander who served during the reign of Emperor Claudius in the 1st century AD.

In more recent times, Mays has been used as a given name, although it is relatively rare. One notable bearer of the name was Mays Gilliam (1927-2012), an American blues musician and singer who was active in the 1950s and 1960s. Another was Mays Harlow (1911-1937), an American actress and sex symbol who tragically died at a young age.

In the realm of literature, the name Mays was used for a character in the novel "The Last of the Mohicans" by James Fenimore Cooper, published in 1826. The character, Mays Munro, was the daughter of a British officer during the French and Indian War.

Additionally, Mays Ventadour was the name of a medieval French noblewoman who lived in the 12th century and was known for her involvement in the Crusades. Her life and deeds were documented in various historical records and chronicles of the time.

While not an extremely common name throughout history, Mays has maintained a presence over the centuries, carrying with it the symbolism of renewal, fertility, and the onset of spring, rooted in its ancient Roman origins and connections to the goddess Maia.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Mays was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Mays, please contact us.

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