Mame Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAH-may //ˈmɑːmeɪ//
Origin: African; Japanese
Meaning: African: 'Mother'; Japanese: 'A name for a child'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mame is believed to have origins in the Hebrew name Maimon, which means "water". This name evolved through various linguistic transformations, eventually reaching the English-speaking world.
The Hebrew root is linked to the biblical context, where water often symbolizes life and sustenance, reflecting the importance of this element in ancient cultures. The transition from Hebrew to English likely occurred through the influence of Jewish communities and their interactions with other cultures, particularly during the Middle Ages when Hebrew names were adopted and adapted into various European languages.
Historically, the name Mame has been associated with notable figures, particularly in the Jewish tradition. One significant milestone is the mention of Maimonides, a prominent Jewish philosopher and scholar of the 12th century, whose full name was Moses ben Maimon.
His works, particularly in philosophy and medicine, had a lasting impact on both Jewish and Christian thought. The name Mame, while not as commonly referenced in historical texts, carries the weight of its etymological roots and the cultural significance of water in various traditions.
Culturally, the name Mame resonates with themes of nurturing and life-giving properties, akin to the symbolism of water in many societies. In some contexts, it has been used as a diminutive or affectionate form of names like Maimon or even Mary, which further emphasizes its familial and endearing qualities.
The enduring nature of the name can be attributed to its deep-rooted connections to essential human experiences and the reverence for water across different cultures, making Mame a name that embodies both historical significance and cultural depth.
Famous people named Mame
In this section, you will find notable people named Mame. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Mame who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Mame who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Mame Dennis is a fictional character best known for the musical Mame and its film adaptations.
Fictional characters named Mame
The following list of fictional characters named Mame is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Mame Dennis is a fictional character from the musical and film Mame. She is a free-spirited woman who becomes the guardian of her young nephew, teaching him to embrace life and adventure.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mame, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mame. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Mame was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Mame has ranked as high as #7155 nationally, which occurred in 2002, and has been most popular in New York, Georgia, and Maryland.
In the past 5 years the name Mame has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mame is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Mame was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Mame.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 23 | 23 |
| 2024 | 17 | 17 |
| 2023 | 10 | 10 |
| 2022 | 9 | 9 |
| 2021 | 11 | 11 |
| 2020 | 6 | 6 |
| 2019 | 14 | 14 |
| 2018 | 11 | 11 |
| 2017 | 14 | 14 |
| 2016 | 16 | 16 |
| 2015 | 9 | 9 |
| 2014 | 13 | 13 |
| 2013 | 15 | 15 |
| 2012 | 12 | 12 |
| 2011 | 11 | 11 |
| 2010 | 15 | 15 |
| 2009 | 17 | 17 |
| 2008 | 17 | 17 |
| 2007 | 15 | 15 |
| 2006 | 15 | 15 |
| 2005 | 20 | 20 |
| 2004 | 20 | 20 |
| 2003 | 22 | 22 |
| 2002 | 29 | 29 |
| 2001 | 20 | 20 |
| 2000 | 12 | 12 |
| 1999 | 10 | 10 |
| 1998 | 5 | 5 |
| 1997 | 9 | 9 |
| 1996 | 5 | 5 |
| 1995 | 6 | 6 |
| 1992 | 5 | 5 |
| 1991 | 7 | 7 |
| 1914 | 10 | 10 |
| 1899 | 6 | 6 |
| 1898 | 9 | 9 |
| 1897 | 5 | 5 |
| 1896 | 6 | 6 |
| 1895 | 9 | 9 |
| 1894 | 6 | 6 |
| 1892 | 11 | 11 |
| 1891 | 16 | 16 |
| 1890 | 10 | 10 |
| 1889 | 12 | 12 |
| 1888 | 15 | 15 |
| 1887 | 16 | 16 |
| 1886 | 12 | 12 |
| 1885 | 17 | 17 |
| 1884 | 17 | 17 |
| 1883 | 17 | 17 |
| 1882 | 12 | 12 |
| 1881 | 14 | 14 |
| 1880 | 12 | 12 |
Top States for Mame (2011)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |