Mavis Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Mavis has its roots in Old French, meaning 'song thrush'. It evolved from 'mauvis' to 'Mavis' in Middle English and has maintained its melodic association. Though it does not have a biblical background, Mavis gained popularity in the late 19th century and is now viewed as a charming, vintage name. Variants include Maeve and Mavie, and it is associated with notable figures such as Mavis Staples.
The name Mavis is most popular in North Dakota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Mavis has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Mavis' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 3876th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 4010th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 6723rd out of 7552 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 347th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 320th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 730th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2070th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 5374th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 7035th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 795th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Mavis' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Mavis"
Pronunciation
/ˈmeɪvɪs/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The name Mavis derives from the Old French word 'mauvis', which means 'song thrush', a type of bird known for its melodious singing. The name became popular in England during the late Middle Ages.
Meaning
song thrush
Language Evolution
Mauvis (Old French), Mavis (Middle English), Mavis (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Mavis gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly in English-speaking countries, partly due to its use in literature and the arts.
Variants & Derivatives
Maeve, Mavie
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Mavis is perceived as a vintage yet charming name, often associated with warmth and musicality. It has seen a resurgence in recent years due to its unique sound and cultural references.
Famous People
Mavis Beacon (fictional character), Mavis Staples (singer), Mavis Gallant (Canadian author)
Explore More Mavis Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Mavis"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Mavis"
"Mavis" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 3876th of 7545 | 69 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 4010th of 6773 | 56 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 6723rd of 7552 | 10 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 347th of 9107 | 6,366 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 320th of 9204 | 7,321 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 730th of 12526 | 3,380 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 2070th of 19264 | 659 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 5374th of 27321 | 250 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 7035th of 35406 | 262 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 795th of 30306 | 4,158 |
Regional Popularity of "Mavis" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
96.75% 2289th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Mavis" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
19.56% 277th/1416 |
39.09% 539th/1379 |
12.17% 288th/2366 |
36.95% 422nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
14.94% 231st/1546 |
47.49% 739th/1556 |
13.05% 307th/2353 |
34.26% 530th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
29.55% 658th/2227 |
47.61% 1157th/2430 |
21.21% 605th/2853 |
34.74% 964th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
100.00% 2937th/2937 |
100.00% 3483rd/3483 |
53.27% 1874th/3518 |
76.78% 3105th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - |
100.00% 6317th/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- |
78.20% 4038th/5164 |
- |
72.04% 5376th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
15.54% 619th/3984 |
27.79% 1247th/4487 |
14.23% 971st/6822 |
11.09% 696th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Mavis"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Mavis" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.