Mavis
Mavis is a girl's name of French origin.
Meaning
Song thrush (bird).
Origin and history
Mavis is a feminine given name derived from the Old French word for the song thrush bird. It became popular in the English-speaking world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and it has experienced a modern resurgence in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
23,015 babies in the United States have been named Mavis since 1880. It ranks #963 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #637.
States where it is most popular
- MN (8.6 %)
- TX (7.8 %)
- AL (6.9 %)
- NC (6.4 %)
- MS (6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 58 |
| 1900-1910 | 235 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,708 |
| 1920-1930 | 5,529 |
| 1930-1940 | 4,508 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,697 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,722 |
| 1960-1970 | 987 |
| 1970-1980 | 335 |
| 1980-1990 | 176 |
| 1990-2000 | 131 |
| 2000-2010 | 128 |
| 2010-2019 | 2,097 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,704 |
Famous people named Mavis
- Mavis Staples: Singer, Activist
- Mavis Gallant: Author, Journalist
Fun facts
- The name Mavis comes from the Old French word 'mavis' or 'mauvis', referring to the song thrush.
- The word was popularized as a given name in 19th-century Britain before spreading widely to the United States.