Mai

Q: What is the origin of Mai?

Mai is of Vietnamese origin. The name carries significant cultural meaning and has been used across generations within its origin tradition.

Q: Is Mai a girl name?

Mai is traditionally a girl name. Modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal choice and cultural context.

female

Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Plum Blossom"

Common in several Asian languages; in Vietnamese it often refers to apricot or plum blossoms, while Japanese readings vary by kanji.

Themes:asianshortflowerfeminine

Nature Natural Unique Rare

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Mai

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#3245Ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Year

Selected Year Rank

#3245

Mai was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year

-38

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Mai Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Mai.

9 ideas

mie

Nickname

maiie

Nickname

maiy

Nickname

maio

Nickname

mmie

Nickname

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“Season of Fall”

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Baby Name Lists That Include Mai

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Mai, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

15 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Mai mean?

Mai means "Plum Blossom". Common in several Asian languages; in Vietnamese it often refers to apricot or plum blossoms, while Japanese readings va

What is the origin of Mai?

Mai is of Vietnamese origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.

How popular is the name Mai?

According to the latest SSA data, Mai is currently ranked #3245 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.

Is Mai a girl name?

Mai is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.

What are good nicknames for Mai?

Popular nicknames for Mai include mie, my, mo, ma, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.

What names are similar to Mai?

There are many names similar to Mai in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginVietnamese, Japanese

Syllables1

Length3 letters

US Rank#3245

Trend↓ Falling

Starts withM

Sibling Ideas

Brothers

An Anh Binh Chi Cuong

Sisters

Anh An Anhthu Bich Chi

Explore More Girl Names Like Mai

Mai has Vietnamese roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Vietnamese baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Mai appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Earth-Inspired Nature Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Unique Baby Names and Japanese Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Mai pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Mai beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.