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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Mae or May

45 replies

NC2315 · 22/11/2023 09:58

Baby girl was born over the weekend, first name was already chosen and we've settled on Mae/May as middle. I prefer Mae (I think)
Opinions?

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SapphosRock · 22/11/2023 12:03

Ignore the negativity OP, Mae is lovely. I prefer that spelling.

piscofrisco · 22/11/2023 12:03

Mae

ohwellhi · 22/11/2023 12:01

Why though? It's just everywhere. It's so overdone. Do you genuinely love it? Or have you just been swept up in the craze? There are so many lovelier names out there.

Pemba · 22/11/2023 11:45

May. Mae seems a bit cheap somehow.

LoveThisDog · 22/11/2023 11:43

I just don't get "Mae", because people use it presumably with the same pronunciation as May but to me it doesn't work. The "ae" letters don't work.
Algae has an "ee" sound.
Caesar has an "ee" sound.
Antennae has an "i" sound.
Maestro has an "i" sound.
Yet for some reason Mae should be May? Just spell it May.

ginasevern · 22/11/2023 11:41

Definitely May. Mae has been played to death and there are millions of them.

Cornwallsummer · 22/11/2023 11:26

DD middle name is Mae after her grandmother so I prefer that spelling. Congratulations on your baby

ShazzaF · 22/11/2023 11:21

My middle name is Mae. Go with May Grin

I much prefer the Mae spelling for a first name, it gives me vintage vibes. But as a middle name, definitely May.

TallulahBetty · 22/11/2023 11:11

May. ALWAYS go for the correct spelling, specially when in doubt.

peaceinourtime · 22/11/2023 11:07

May is a much name then Spelt Mae which looks tacky. I know Mae is meant to cute but it looks tacky.

ffsrainagain · 22/11/2023 11:05

My DD has the middle name may, but spelt Mai after her grandmother

MoneyMoneyMoneyLifeisFunny · 22/11/2023 11:00

I would think of something else, it is so common but if you have to use it spell it properly.

CurlewKate · 22/11/2023 10:52

May. Always go for the more obvious spelling.

LimeOrangeLemon · 22/11/2023 10:47

I prefer May.

KirstenBlest · 22/11/2023 10:40

Filler middle name. Mae is awful.
Mary is much nicer

MaloneMeadow · 22/11/2023 10:32

May/Mae are both awful. No substance to either of them and painfully common. It’s turned into the new Grace/Rose/Joy, every other little girl has it as a middle name

toastofthetown · 22/11/2023 10:22

May/e is a total snooze as a middle name, and actually is feeling a bit passe now. That said, of the two spellings I prefer May.

idontlikealdi · 22/11/2023 10:15

I think Mae has been done to death tbh. Dd1 has May as a middle name after her grandmother, I think Mae is prettier but we went with tradition

eatdrinkandbemerry · 22/11/2023 10:11

My daughters middle name is mae but honestly there's millions of them and I regret not giving her a different one 🤷‍♀️

jadey1991 · 22/11/2023 10:06

I prefer mae myself to be honest.. and congratulations 🎊