Sweet and Charming: 20 Baby Names Inspired by the Month of May

Choosing the perfect name for your baby is a big responsibility as it will accompany them throughout their life. Many parents seek names that hold meaning, and if you’re expecting a little one in May, there are some adorable options to consider. Whether you’re fond of the holiday or prefer other inspirations, there are plenty of choices that go beyond Cupid’s realm.

May is widely known for Valentine’s Day, but there are other noteworthy events to spark inspiration for your baby’s name. Black History Month is observed in February, offering a rich pool of remarkable Black figures to honor with your baby’s name. If you have a playful spirit, you can draw inspiration from fun national or world days celebrated in February, such as World Nutella Day on Feb. 5, Galentine’s Day on Feb. 13, or National Drink Wine Day on Feb. 18 (Rosé could make an adorable name, right?).

1. Violet: In addition to being a cute name no matter when a baby is born, Violet is also one of the official flowers for the month of February. Naming them Violet is a fun and subtle way to pay homage to your baby’s birth month.

2. Primrose: February’s second flower is the primrose, which happens to make for a really cute baby name. It’s the name of Katniss’s little sister in The Hunger Games, so if you’re a big fan of the series, it adds an extra element of fun to this name.

3. Amato: If you love the idea of a Valentine’s Day-inspired name, consider Amato, which means “loved.” It also has Italian roots, making it a fun way to celebrate your heritage if you have any Italian ancestry.

4. Phil: There is a prominent figure named Phil who has an important job every February—predicting how much longer winter will last before spring arrives. Yes, Phil is the name of the famous groundhog who looks for his shadow on Feb. 2, and it’s a really cute baby name too.

5. Lincoln: President’s Day is celebrated on the third Monday of February each year, and one of the reasons for its February placement is to honor Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on Feb. 12. If you’re a fan of Abe, naming your baby Lincoln is a sweet way to pay homage.

6. Paris: Sticking with Valentine’s Day-inspired names, you can opt for naming your little one Paris, often considered the City of Love. It’s a subtle nod to the holiday without being overly obvious, and it’s a great name in general.

7. Maya: In recognition of Black History Month, consider naming your baby after Maya Angelou. She was a fierce civil rights activist, author, and renowned poet whose work continues to be admired today. If the name Maya doesn’t suit your style, there are plenty of other Black figures to consider naming your baby after.

8. Aphrodite: The name Aphrodite is a fun choice for parents who love Valentine’s Day or Greek mythology, as she was the Goddess of Love. She ruled over love, procreation, and beauty, and was both desired and unattainable.

9. Rose: Staying on the theme of love, no flower represents love quite like the rose. It is commonly associated with love and romance, but ancient Romans also associated it with confidentiality. Symbolism aside, Rose is simply a pretty name any baby would be lucky to have.

10. Romeo: Romeo is, of course, one of the leading characters in the tragic Shakespearean romance “Romeo and Juliet.” The name is synonymous with romance, which is a significant theme in the month of February. Romeo is also the name of one of Victoria and David Beckham’s sons, and who wouldn’t want their baby to have a little celebrity status?

11. George: For those with a strong sense of patriotism, consider naming your baby George in honor of George Washington, the first president of the US. President’s Day was originally established to honor him, with his birthday on Feb. 22, before evolving into the broader recognition it holds today.

12. Venus: If you prefer Roman mythology over Greek, name your baby Venus after the Roman Goddess of Love and Beauty.

13. Mabel: Another Valentine’s Day-inspired name to consider is Mabel, meaning “lovable” (which your February baby will absolutely be). This is a great choice for parents who want to name their baby something classic but uncommon because Mabel hasn’t landed in the top 100 baby names since 1922.

14. Edison: In February of 1846, Thomas Edison was born, so your babe is in some good birthday-month company. You can honor the famous February-born inventor’s memory by naming your baby Edison (or Thomas, of course). If nothing else, it’s just a really cute name.

15. David: If you’re wanting to name your baby something traditional, consider David, which means “beloved” in Hebrew. Since February is the month of love, this seems like a very fitting name.

16. Ruby: In 1960, Ruby Bridges made history when she was only six years old as the first Black student to attend William Frantz Elementary in Louisiana. She arrived at school with a police escort for protection, and her enrollment triggered integration in schools across the south. By sharing her name, your little one might follow in Ruby’s fiercely brave footsteps. What a wonderful way to honor your baby being born during Black History Month.

17. Archer: Archer literally means “bowman,” and who’s a cuter bowman than Cupid? Naming your baby Archer is a sneaky way of showing Valentine’s Day some love while still making sure your kiddo grows up with a fantastic name.

18. Susan: Babies born in February share a birth month with legendary women’s rights and civil rights activist, Susan B. Anthony, who they’d be lucky to be named after. Babies born on February 15 will share their actual birthday with Susan, which seems like a very good reason to honor her memory.

19. Amethyst: Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February, and while the stone itself is very pretty, Amethyst also happens to be a beautiful name for a baby. It’s also a really unique name, as Nameberry says it’s never made it into the top 1,000 baby names.

20. Valentine: If you really, really love Valentine’s Day, go ahead and lean into it by naming your February baby Valentine. It’s a Latin name that means “strength” and “health,” and while still uncommon, is beginning to rise in popularity.