Valmai

Valmai is a feminine given name of English origin, derived from the Welsh phrase fel Mai meaning "like May". The name was invented by the Welsh author Allen Raine for the heroine of her popular romance novel By Berwen Banks (1899), later adapted into a silent film in 1920 titled By Berwin Banks, starring Eileen Magrath as Valmai Powell. The novel's romantic setting and heroine contributed to the name's appeal.

Usage

Valmai gained particular popularity in English-speaking countries following the novel's release. It was notably well-used in Australia and New Zealand in the 1920s and 1930s, ranking among the top 100 names for girls in New Zealand between 1928 and 1933. The name and its spelling variants also saw use in the United Kingdom and, to a lesser extent, in the United States during the first half of the 20th century.

Notable Bearers

• Valmai Gee (born 1971), Bolivian-born Irish former cricketer.
• Valmai Holt, a figure mentioned in brief additional entries.

Variants

The name has multiple spelling variants, reflecting its Welsh origins and anglicized adaptation.