Mei Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: May /meɪ/
Origin: Chinese; Japanese
Meaning: Chinese: beautiful; Japanese: bud
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mei has its roots in the Chinese language, where it is commonly associated with meanings such as "beautiful" (美) or "plum" (梅). The character 美 has been used in various contexts throughout Chinese history, often symbolizing beauty and grace, while 梅 refers to the plum tree, which holds cultural significance in Chinese art and literature, often representing resilience and perseverance due to its ability to bloom in harsh winter conditions.
The name Mei has been transliterated into various forms in different languages, but its essence remains tied to its Chinese origins. Historically, the use of Mei as a name can be traced back to ancient China, where it was not uncommon for names to reflect desirable traits or natural elements.
The plum blossom, in particular, has been celebrated in Chinese poetry and art since at least the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), symbolizing purity and the arrival of spring. The name Mei has also appeared in various literary works and historical texts, reinforcing its cultural significance.
In the context of Chinese naming conventions, it is often used as a given name for girls, reflecting familial hopes for beauty and virtue. Culturally, the name Mei resonates with traditional values in Chinese society, where names are often chosen based on their meanings and the auspicious qualities they convey.
The name's association with beauty and nature has contributed to its enduring appeal across generations. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Meimei (妹妹), meaning "younger sister," are commonly used in familial contexts, further embedding the name within cultural practices.
Overall, Mei embodies a rich tapestry of linguistic and cultural heritage, reflecting both aesthetic values and the deep-rooted traditions of Chinese civilization.
Famous people named Mei
In this section, you will find notable people named Mei. 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 Mei who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Mei 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.
Mei Lanfang was a Chinese Peking opera performer best known for his role in The Butterfly Lovers, The Peony Pavilion, and The Drunken Beauty.
Mei Zhang is a Chinese entrepreneur best known for founding WildChina, a travel company specializing in unique experiences in China.
Mei Chen is a Chinese-American artist best known for her contemporary paintings and installations that explore cultural identity.
Fictional characters named Mei
The following list of fictional characters named Mei 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.
Mei is a fictional character from the video game Overwatch. She is a scientist and adventurer who uses her cryotechnology to control the battlefield and protect her allies.
Mei is a fictional character from the animated film Big Hero 6. She is a brilliant robotics engineer and one of the main members of the superhero team.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mei, 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 Mei. 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 Mei was first seen in the United States in 1947.
Mei has ranked as high as #3180 nationally, which occurred in 2025, and has been most popular in California, New York, Texas, Washington, and New Jersey.
In the past 5 years the name Mei has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mei 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 Mei 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 Mei.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 117 | 117 |
| 2024 | 101 | 101 |
| 2023 | 79 | 79 |
| 2022 | 55 | 55 |
| 2021 | 66 | 66 |
| 2020 | 65 | 65 |
| 2019 | 61 | 61 |
| 2018 | 65 | 65 |
| 2017 | 52 | 52 |
| 2016 | 55 | 55 |
| 2015 | 44 | 44 |
| 2014 | 49 | 49 |
| 2013 | 46 | 46 |
| 2012 | 39 | 39 |
| 2011 | 39 | 39 |
| 2010 | 33 | 33 |
| 2009 | 46 | 46 |
| 2008 | 32 | 32 |
| 2007 | 48 | 48 |
| 2006 | 47 | 47 |
| 2005 | 32 | 32 |
| 2004 | 35 | 35 |
| 2003 | 45 | 45 |
| 2002 | 30 | 30 |
| 2001 | 29 | 29 |
| 2000 | 41 | 41 |
| 1999 | 21 | 21 |
| 1998 | 14 | 14 |
| 1997 | 26 | 26 |
| 1996 | 15 | 15 |
| 1995 | 21 | 21 |
| 1994 | 12 | 12 |
| 1993 | 27 | 27 |
| 1992 | 17 | 17 |
| 1991 | 17 | 17 |
| 1990 | 21 | 21 |
| 1989 | 14 | 14 |
| 1988 | 9 | 9 |
| 1987 | 11 | 11 |
| 1986 | 12 | 12 |
| 1985 | 17 | 17 |
| 1984 | 10 | 10 |
| 1983 | 16 | 16 |
| 1982 | 15 | 15 |
| 1981 | 14 | 14 |
| 1980 | 18 | 18 |
| 1979 | 17 | 17 |
| 1978 | 19 | 19 |
| 1977 | 12 | 12 |
| 1976 | 14 | 14 |
| 1975 | 9 | 9 |
| 1974 | 13 | 13 |
| 1973 | 8 | 8 |
| 1972 | 10 | 10 |
| 1970 | 8 | 8 |
| 1969 | 7 | 7 |
| 1967 | 5 | 5 |
| 1964 | 10 | 10 |
| 1963 | 8 | 8 |
| 1960 | 7 | 7 |
| 1959 | 5 | 5 |
| 1957 | 6 | 6 |
| 1953 | 5 | 5 |
| 1949 | 6 | 6 |
| 1948 | 6 | 6 |
| 1947 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Mei (2024)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 16 | |
| CA | 15 | |
| WA | 10 |