Mei Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Mei is a name of Chinese origin meaning 'beautiful' or 'plum'. It evolved from classical Chinese forms and is commonly used in modern times. The name reflects positive traits and is not associated with biblical significance. It has historical roots and has gained popularity in recent years, with notable figures bearing the name.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Mei"
Pronunciation
/meɪ/
Origin
Chinese
Etymology
The name Mei is derived from the Chinese word for 'beautiful' or 'plum'. It is commonly used as a given name for girls in Chinese-speaking cultures.
Meaning
beautiful, plum
Language Evolution
梅 (Méi) - Early form in classical Chinese, 美 (Měi) - Associated character meaning 'beauty', Mei - Modern romanization
Historical Usage
The name Mei has been popular in Chinese-speaking regions for centuries, particularly in the 20th century as Western influence and cultural exchange grew.
Variants & Derivatives
May, Mei-Ling, Mei-Xing
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Mei is perceived positively, often associated with beauty and elegance. It remains a popular name among Chinese families and has gained some recognition in Western cultures.
Famous People
Mei Lanfang - Renowned Peking opera performer, Mei Zhang - Chinese-American entrepreneur and philanthropist
📊 Mei Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Mei Name Visualizations
✨ Mei Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 101 peak births in 2024
Geographic Spread
Popular across 10 US states, with strongest presence in California
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 5 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Mei" - Complete Guide (4 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Mei". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 4 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Mei" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Mei"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Mei"
"Mei" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 6601st of 12526 | 59 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 5674th of 19264 | 140 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5401st of 27321 | 248 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 3995th of 35406 | 557 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 2792nd of 30306 | 737 |
Regional Popularity of "Mei" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Mei" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- |
83.15% 2896th/3483 |
- |
100.00% 4044th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- |
48.22% 2158th/4475 |
- |
60.55% 3825th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
100.00% 4582nd/4582 |
45.64% 2357th/5164 |
87.19% 6376th/7313 |
37.33% 2786th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
100.00% 3984th/3984 |
74.06% 3323rd/4487 |
57.65% 3933rd/6822 |
30.40% 1908th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Mei"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Mei" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Mei" in the United States
The name Mei is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation Alpha generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Mei has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Mei' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 6601st out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 5674th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5401st out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3995th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 2792nd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Mei' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.