Mayes

At a Glance

Meaning

Child of May ('-s' = patronymic), most often read as 'child of Matthew' though May itself has several possible roots

Origin

English (surname, patronymic of May)

Gender

Used for both boys and girls

Pronunciation

MAYZListen

Mayes is an English surname built as a patronymic – it literally means 'child of May,' using the old '-s' ending that marked family lineage. You may see it described as meaning 'child of Matthew,' but that's just one of several possible roots for May, which has also been linked to Mary, Margaret, the month, or the word 'kinsman' – so that narrower reading is a plausible guess rather than a settled fact. If you're drawn to a name with clear patronymic roots but don't need one fixed meaning nailed down, Mayes fits that description.

Meaning & Origin of Mayes

Meaning: Child of May ('-s' = patronymic), most often read as 'child of Matthew' though May itself has several possible roots.

Origin: English (surname, patronymic of May).

A common claim: Said to mean 'child of Matthew' Actually: 'Child of Matthew' is only one of several possible roots for 'May' — it has also been linked to Mary/Margaret, the month of May, or 'kinsman' — so this is only one plausible reading, not a settled meaning.

Source: Wiktionary.

How to Pronounce Mayes

Popularity of Mayes

Mayes hit its high point at #3586 back in 1914, when 5 babies were given the name, and by 2024 it sat at #7081 with 12 babies – a name that has stayed rare across its full recorded history from 1914 to 2024.

Names Like Mayes

Names with a similar style, era, origin or popularity history.

• Lavelle
• Maryelizabeth
• Orville
• Rutledge
• Roza
• Diva

FAQ

What does the name Mayes mean?

Child of May (‘-s’ = patronymic), most often read as ‘child of Matthew’ though May itself has several possible roots. (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Mayes?

Mayes is pronounced MAYZ (IPA: /meɪz/).

Is Mayes a popular name right now?

Mayes peaked at #3586 in 1914 and is ranked #7081 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1914–2024.)

Make Mayes Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Mayes, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.