Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Opinions on the name May?

42 replies

twofluffybunnies · 10/04/2025 01:10

May Arabella is what I’m thinking.

Opinions?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
TaupeAndTeal · 10/04/2025 08:57

I think it’s very pretty!

I would be less concerned about her being born in May than pp. I see May as a name in its own right for some reason.

April and June however…. (I have a friend called April, it’s a very pretty name, but it drives me slightly mad that her birthday is in a different month)

VenusClapTrap · 10/04/2025 08:54

I think May is beautiful. Elegant and classy.

Original poster
twofluffybunnies · 10/04/2025 08:24

MoreChocPls · 10/04/2025 07:32

May the force be with you in making this bad decision!

Bad decision? How come?

OP posts:
Mumofteenandtween · 10/04/2025 07:40

Will she be born in May?

If so, I quite like it. If not, just the idea of it makes my teeth itch. (I’m a mathematician - in my world things are right or wrong!)

DeciDela · 10/04/2025 07:35

NannyR · 10/04/2025 01:18

I think it's lovely. It's a bit boring and overused as a middle name but a great choice for a first name - strong, timeless and not too popular.

All of this.

IfYouPutASausageInItItsNotAViennetta · 10/04/2025 07:34

PluckyBamboo · 10/04/2025 01:18

Does your surname begin with a Y? That would be cool!

Hopefully doesn't start with a D though and she would be mad to marry one!

Even more so if their surname is Yam Grin

MoreChocPls · 10/04/2025 07:32

May the force be with you in making this bad decision!

RitaConnors · 10/04/2025 07:19

My mum is called May and she dislikes it because it’s so short that people often mishear her name. She says she has to elongate it when she introduces herself and she has to say ‘my name is May’ otherwise people think she’s saying’I’m me’ rather than ‘I’m May’.

Same on the phone. If she says ‘hi Sophie it’s May’ then sometimes people think she’s saying‘hi Sophie it’s me’.

Moreteaandchocolate · 10/04/2025 07:01

I love the name May! I disagree that it’s bland - it’s actually really refreshing to hear such a pretty and simple classic among all the Bella type names and Lila / Layla / Lyras.

TheMadGardener · 10/04/2025 01:44

I am a primary teacher. Currently I teach a May who is in Y5 and a lovely girl. So I say go for it, Mays are likely to be lovely!
(Disclaimer: don't spell it Mai as in my experience they are far less lovely!) 🤣

DramaAlpaca · 10/04/2025 01:29

It's lovely, very pretty.

user1492757084 · 10/04/2025 01:24

May is sweet.

May Arabella is nice as is ..
May Mirabel
Mary Cicely

NannyR · 10/04/2025 01:18

I think it's lovely. It's a bit boring and overused as a middle name but a great choice for a first name - strong, timeless and not too popular.

PluckyBamboo · 10/04/2025 01:18

Does your surname begin with a Y? That would be cool!

Hopefully doesn't start with a D though and she would be mad to marry one!

Original poster
twofluffybunnies · 10/04/2025 01:14

Ellmau · 10/04/2025 01:11

It's OK. Unexciting but inoffensive. I prefer Arabella May.

I feel like Arabella is a bit twee as a first name, but I adore it which is why I want to use it as a middle.

I’m not sure how I feel about it as a first name. And it would probably be shortened to Bella.

It is something I’ve thought about though.

OP posts:
Tbrh · 10/04/2025 01:12

Boring. Arabella is nice, but too many kids and dogs are called Bella

Ellmau · 10/04/2025 01:11

It's OK. Unexciting but inoffensive. I prefer Arabella May.