mAio

Maio is the Portuguese name for May, the fifth month of the Gregorian calendar. The word derives from Latin Maius, named after the goddess Maia, associated with growth and the spring season in many cultures. In Portuguese-speaking countries, Maio appears in dates, holidays, and seasonal references.

Maio is also the name of an island in Cape Verde, an Atlantic archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa. It is part of the Barlavento (Windward) group and is the westernmost of the Cape Verde islands. The island features a dry, arid landscape and a coastline with beaches and salt flats; its economy has traditionally included fishing, salt production, and small-scale farming. The administrative center is the town of Cidade do Maio, located on the island's south coast.

As a surname, Maio occurs in Italian, Portuguese, and other Lusophone communities. It may also be encountered as a given name or place name in various regions.

Maio, in its different uses, reflects linguistic and geographic diversity across cultures.