The name Mai is of Vietnamese origin and has a significant meaning in the culture and history of Vietnam. It comes from the Vietnamese word "Mai" which means "beauty". The name is often given to girls and is considered very feminine.
The name Mai has a rich history in Vietnam. It was traditionally used for daughters born during the fifth lunar month, which corresponds to the month of May on the Gregorian calendar. This tradition is still practiced today by some families who follow the lunar calendar.
In addition to its beautiful meaning, the name Mai also has several notable historical figures associated with it. One of the most famous is Mai Thú Lynch, a Vietnamese-American activist and poet who fought for the rights of Southeast Asian women during the Vietnam War era.
Overall, the name Mai is deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture and history, with a significant and meaningful origin that continues to be celebrated today.
The name Mai has seen a steady presence in the United States since at least 1984, with five babies given this name that year alone. The following year, 1985, saw an increase to nine births recorded with the name Mai. While there was a dip in usage for several years afterwards, the name Mai resurfaced again in 1989 with six recorded births. In total, between 1984 and 1989, twenty babies were named Mai across the United States, demonstrating that this name had some popularity during these years.