Find out how popular the first name Mei has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mei by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Mei is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 79 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Mei.

The history of the first name Mei

The name Mei is of Chinese origin, derived from the Chinese character 美, which means "beautiful" or "lovely." It is a popular name in various East Asian cultures, particularly in China, Japan, and Korea.

The earliest recorded use of the name Mei dates back to ancient China, where it was commonly used as a feminine given name. It was often associated with beauty, grace, and elegance, reflecting the cultural values and aesthetics of the time.

In Chinese literature, the name Mei has been mentioned in various classical texts and poems, often describing beautiful women or personifying the concept of beauty itself. One notable example is the famous poem "Song of Unending Sorrow" by Bai Juyi, written during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD), which features a character named Mei.

Throughout history, several notable women have borne the name Mei. One of the earliest recorded figures was Mei Sheng (fl. 510-521 AD), a renowned poet and calligrapher during the Southern and Northern Dynasties period in China. Another prominent figure was Mei Ren (1073-1094), a celebrated beauty and imperial concubine during the Song Dynasty.

In Japan, the name Mei has been used since ancient times and is often written using the same Chinese character 美. One famous Japanese bearer of the name was Mei Shuren (1683-1758), a renowned Noh actor and playwright during the Edo period.

Korean culture also embraced the name Mei, often spelled as Mi or Mee. One notable Korean figure was Mee Un-suk (1918-2017), a pioneering feminist writer and activist who fought for women's rights and gender equality in South Korea.

Beyond East Asia, the name Mei has also been used in various other cultures and languages, although its origins can be traced back to the Chinese character. For instance, in Vietnamese, the name is spelled as My, and in Thai, it is written as ม่าย (Mai).

Regardless of its cultural context, the name Mei has consistently been associated with beauty, grace, and elegance, reflecting the universal appreciation for these qualities across different societies and traditions.

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 Mei was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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