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It’s really common as a middle name or the second part of a hyphenated name where I live. I know so many kids named things like Lily-Mae or Gracie-Mae. I don’t like it.

My daughter's middle name.

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I think it's cute and quite usable

Meh. It’s short and sweet, but I don’t like it as much as I used to. I guess it just feels kinda insubstantial with it being just one syllable. I don’t think it would have any problems, though, even if May might.

I think it's a nice nickname, but it's a very small full name.

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I have a cute student named Mae. It works fine. It was HILARIOUS when we played a song called "May Song," let me tell you. A real barrel o' monkeys

I think it's sweet and lovely. It's cute for a little girl and it ages well as she grows.
I know a preschooler named Mae and I have a co-worker named Mae (50s). Also, one of my former day camp counselors has a daughter named Mae who is roughly Kindergarten age.

When I was growing up, Mae was a super common name for some of the old country/farm women I knew. I can't quite shake that mental image. I do prefer the May spelling myself. It feels at least a little bit removed from all those Maes. But it definitely is making a comeback. Maybe I will come around to it.

I like it. It’d also seem fine as a double-barreled name or a nickname, but I still love it on its own.

It's pretty, cute, and would age well.

I like it, but my favorite is the Japanese Mei, I love the meaning.

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No, I think it is too well established as a name to cause much confusion.

I haven't read through the responses yet, but I think a lot of people here hate the spelling Mae and prefer May.

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I actually don't mind Mae. I think it's kind of sweet. I doubt I'd use either for an actual person, but I'd be happy to meet one. I don't think it would be annoying for may to also be a common word.

I really love Mae, especially with this spelling. It's simple, classic, nostalgic, but still has a bit of sass.

I think it's simple, but lovely. I don't think people will have a problem with it confused with the word "may".

I think it’s such an elegant and simple name, but so beautiful. It works so nicely as a mn, but I do really like it for a fn. I don’t think it would be annoying to have the name Mae. There are so many “word” names these days, it would fit in nicely.

Would it be annoying/confusing with may being a common word.....?

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My son's name is Will. So I can answer this question with a hearty "No!"

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My son will, your daughter may.

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Seriously, it's no big deal.

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I love Mae and prefer that spelling to May. Mae is strong and sassy in a good way, May sits with a shawl and makes doilies (however doilies are made and I just now realized that I don't know).

This message was edited 6/18/2020, 4:35 AM

I dislike the fake prettiness of Mae. As well as being a verb, May can more readily refer to the flowering shrub or the month. There is no risk of confusion! I would use May readily, and Mae not at all.

I think it's lovely, I don't think the common association would be a problem