What does the Spanish name “Cinco de Mayo” mean in English?

“Cinco de Mayo” means “Fifth of May” in English.

The name directly identifies the calendar date of the holiday: May 5. In Mexico, that date commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. The battle took place during France’s intervention in Mexico, when Emperor Napoleon III’s government sought to expand French influence and recover financial debts.

Cinco de Mayo is often confused with Mexico’s Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16. The two occasions honor different events: Independence Day marks the beginning of Mexico’s struggle against Spanish rule in 1810, while Cinco de Mayo recalls the Puebla victory decades later.

The observance became especially prominent in the United States, where Mexican American communities helped turn it into a celebration of Mexican heritage, music, food, and culture. In Mexico, celebrations are strongest in Puebla and are generally more regional than the large commercial observances common in the United States.