Mai

Mai is a Vietnamese surname derived from the Mei (梅) character, which means "plum" or "apricot" in Chinese. The name entered Vietnamese through Sino-Vietnamese readings of the Chinese character, where mơ (apricot) and mận (plum) are native Vietnamese terms but mai specifically denotes a type of yellow apricot blossom (Ochna integerrima) closely associated with the Vietnamese New Year (Tết).

Significance

In Vietnamese culture, the hoa mai (yellow apricot blossom) is a symbol of prosperity and good fortune during Tết, comparable to the cherry blossom in Japan. As a surname, Mai connects bearers to this auspicious symbolism, though it is less common than names like Nguyễn or Trần. The name is also a homophone of the Chinese mei, which appears in other cultural contexts, such as in the name Mei in literary works.

Notable Bearers

Notable individuals with the surname Mai include Vietnamese-American mathematician Mai Gehrke (born 1964) and Vietnamese politician Mai Kolossova (born 1937), who served in Estonia. The name also appears among Vietnamese diaspora communities globally.

• Meaning: Plum or apricot blossom
• Origin: Sino-Vietnamese from Chinese Mei
• Type: Surname
• Usage: Vietnamese