- May 2 Bryan Davis, West Indian cricketer (bro of Charlie WI batsman v Australia 1965), born in Belmont, Port of Spain, Trinidad
- May 3 Clemens Westerhof, Dutch football manager, born in Beek, Netherlands
- May 4 Dick Curl, American football coach (World Bowl 1999 Frankfurt Galaxy; NFL Europe Coach of the Year 1998, 99), born in Chester, Pennsylvania
- May 7 Jerry Harkness, American College Basketball HOF point guard (Loyola [Illinois]; New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers), born in Harlem, New York (d. 2021)
- May 7 Mike Gillespie, American college baseball coach (College World Series 1998, Collegiate Coach of the Year 1998, USC), born in Los Angeles, California (d. 2020)
- May 14 Leif Eriksen, Norwegian soccer forward (4 caps; Vålerenga FC, Eidsvold Turn) and manager (Vålerenga FC, Jevnaker IF, Skeid), born in Oslo, Norway (d. 2024)
- May 14 Tommy Lawrence, Scottish football player and goalkeeper (Liverpool, Tranmere Rovers), born in Dailly, Scotland (d. 2018)
- May 15 Álvaro Mejía, Colombian athlete (Boston Marathon 1971 2:18:45), born in Medellín, Colombia (d. 2021)
- May 18 Pat Trimborn, South African cricket fast bowler (4 Tests, 11 wickets), born in Durban, Natal, South Africa
- May 19 Jan Janssen, Dutch cyclist (Tour de France, 1968; Vuelta a España, 1967; World Road Race Champion, 1964), born in Nootdorp, South Holland, Netherlands
Stan Mikita (1940-2018)
May 20 Canadian Hockey Hall of Fame center (Stanley Cup 1961; Hart Memorial Trophy [MVP] 1967, 68; 6 x NHL First All-Star Team), born in Sokolče, Slovak Republic
- May 21 Robert Budzynski, French soccer defender (11 caps; RC Lens, FC Nantes), born in Calonne-Ricouart, France (d. 2023)
- May 22 E. A. S. Prasanna, Indian cricketer (one of India's big four spinners), born in Bangalore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India
- May 22 Mick Tingelhoff, American Pro Football HOF center (6 × Pro Bowl; 5 × First-team All-Pro; Minnesota Vikings), born in Lexington, Nebraska (d. 2021)
About May 1940
How Old? 83 years old
Generation: Silent Generation
Leap Year: Yes
Baseball Players
Basketball Stars
Boxers
Footballers
NFL Stars
Tennis Champions