Those born in May have the advantage of a birthday in one of the prettiest months of the year. Here’s a chance to learn more with surprising May birthday facts and statistics, from horoscopes to personality types. Let the spring sun shine on these awesome May babies and all they offer to the world.
Top 10 May Birthday Facts and Statistics
These are the top ten facts about May babies born in springtime’s favorite month.
- Those born on May 1 are born on May Day, an age-old pagan holiday that celebrates the coming of spring.
- A baby born between May 1 and May 20 is a Taurus and is symbolized by the stubborn bull.
- A 2004 British study said the May-born felt the luckiest out of all the birth months.
- May includes Mother Goose Day, Intergalactic Star Wars Day, Peter Pan Day, and Water a Flower Day.
- Not one but three famous actors portraying superheroes have birthdays during the month of May.
- Men born in the first half of May are more likely to marry females born in the same period.
- Emeralds were a sign of good luck for medieval kings and queens, which is why they often decorated their royal crowns with gems.
- Those born in May were shown to have a high “hyperthymia” score, giving them a positive outlook on life.
- Geminis are born between May 21 and May 31 and are symbolized by twins Castor and Pollux.
- Lily-of-the-valley is May’s official birth flower and is said to be under the protection of the Greek sun goddess Maia.
20 Facts About People Born in May
These fun tales of May-born folks will help you say “Happy Birthday” to your favorite May baby.
1. May Day
Babies born on May 1 have the pleasure of being born on May Day. It’s a day rich in pagan traditions that go back 1,000 years. Also called Beltane, May Day celebrates the coming of spring. It was originally a Roman festivity in honor of Flora, the goddess of flowers.
2. Things Are Looking Up
Time Magazine reports that spring-born babies—including those born in March, April, and May—have a high “hyperthymia” score. This means that they are more likely to have a positive outlook on the world around them. All that May sunshine and temperate weather can’t hurt their chances, either.
3. Up All Night
May birthday facts and data reveal that May babies had a tendency to be night owls. Those born in May, June, and August shared a later bedtime than people with December, January, and February birthdays (1).
4. Perfect Companion
Men born in early May were more likely to marry females who shared their birth month. Females born in May had a higher likelihood of divorce when married to men born in February.
5. The Weight
May babies may weigh more than babies born during other months of the year. A Canadian study showed May-born babies were approximately 200 grams heavier than other babies. Perhaps all those winter comfort meals eaten during pregnancy made a difference by spring (2).
6. May Birthdays
Celebrities who share a May birthday are no joke. They include actors Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and George Clooney, and singer Adele. Directors Wes Anderson and George Lucas are two other famous birthdays in May; so perhaps May babies just want to be in the limelight (3).
7. Raging Bull
If a May-born baby has a birthday between May 1 and May 20, their zodiac sign is Taurus. The animal symbol of Taurus is the bull. This might mean stubbornness and strength. Even if your little one is stubborn, negative traits are balanced by a love of nature and a general cheery attitude (4).
8. Career Path
It turns out a large number of politicians have May birthdays. Statistically speaking, May babies are least likely to become football players (5). Whether a star of politics or a CEO, May birthday facts and statistics suggest they’ll give 100% to whatever career they choose.
9. A Rare Baby
May 23 is the only May birthday that ranks in the top 100 most common birthdays. It’s ranked at number 89. May 4, 11, 13, 26, 27, and 31 are all situated in the bottom 50 most common birthdays. Even if May birthdates aren’t the most popular, May babies can feel special all the same (6).
10. May Flowers
Lily-of-the-valley is the official birth flower of May. Its scientific name is Convallaria majalis, meaning “valley” and “belonging to Maia.” The Greek sun goddess Maia was traditionally the protector of the May flower. The German virgin goddess Ostara is also associated with lily-of-the-valley, representing chastity (7).
11. The Down Side
One of the less favorable psychological characteristics of May-born people is depression. In a British study, children that were born towards the end of the academic year were 30 percent more at risk to suffer from depression (8).
12. Easy Being Green
There’s more to emeralds than the land of Oz. They’re the birthstone of the Taurus horoscope and symbols of wealth and prosperity. Hindus associate emeralds with the heart chakra to represent love. Emeralds were a sign of good luck for medieval royals who put them on their crowns.
13. Holidays Galore
Those born in May have a birth month full of funny holidays that go beyond Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. May is home to Mother Goose Day and Intergalactic Star Wars Day. There’s even Learn to Ride a Bike Day, Peter Pan Day, and Water a Flower Day﹣perfect for spring (9).
14. May-Born Luck
A 2004 British study of 40,000 participants showed those born in May felt luckier than others, with half the participants feeling lucky. This compared to 43 percent of October-born participants, the lowest percentage of all the months. May-born babies may be the kind of people you’ll want to split a lottery ticket with sometime soon.
15. In Good Health
A 2015 Columbia University study lets us know one of the most interesting facts about people born in May. They have the lowest risk for disease versus those born in October, who have the highest (10). Having a positive outlook is just as important when keeping healthy, which May babies are also blessed with.
16. Career Day
No matter their birth month, every child will have a favorite career path, but May-born people seem to have many. According to the UK Office of National Statistics, May babies pursue many different careers when they grow up. Whether a doctor, a celebrity, or the President of the United States, May babies have a lot of choices it seems (11).
17. Rich or Poor
People born in May can live in a world of financial extremes. They are famous for their love of luxurious things and for spending money to get everything they desire. If they’re saving their funds for a rainy day, this group usually saves every last penny. It must all depend on their mood (12).
18. The Travel Bug
Whether a Gemini or Taurus, the May-born are fans of a great vacation. Geminis value enjoying cultural traditions with the locals. They may want to experience a tour or museum visit to learn about the place around them. A Taurus wants luxury in all aspects of their experience, whether a hotel room or camping (13).
19. A Social Life
If a baby’s birthday falls between May 21 and May 31, they are a Gemini, represented by the twins. Geminis are ruled by the planet Mercury, which is said to make them super versatile people. They love being social, so your Gemini shouldn’t have trouble making new friends.
20. Call Superman
Superman actor Henry Cavill celebrates his birthday on May 5. The voice of Lego’s Batman, Will Arnett, and Green Arrow’s Stephen Amell both have birthdays in May too. There must be magic in that May sunshine that helps superheroes grow up big and strong (14).
