indicate the level to which a name has been verified.
Gender Feminine
Other Forms FormsFalmai, Felmai, Valmae, Valmay, Valmaye, Valmaie
Meaning & History
Derived from Welsh fel Mai meaning "like May". It was invented by best-selling Welsh author Allen Raine for her popular romance novel By Berwen Banks (1899). The first Valmais in the UK birth records appear in the year of the book's publication, and alternate Welsh spellings Falmai and Felmai arose some years later.
Raine sold over two million books in the UK and colonies, which may explain the name's Australian and New Zealander usage. A film was made of the book in 1920 (as By Berwin Banks), directed by Sidney Morgan and starring Eileen Magrath as Valmai.
Raine sold over two million books in the UK and colonies, which may explain the name's Australian and New Zealander usage. A film was made of the book in 1920 (as By Berwin Banks), directed by Sidney Morgan and starring Eileen Magrath as Valmai.