Mao Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MOW /maʊ/
Origin: Chinese; Japanese
Meaning: Chinese: cat; Japanese: true, genuine
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mao has its roots in the Chinese language, where it is written as 毛. The literal meaning of Mao can vary depending on the characters used, but it is often associated with meanings such as 'fur' or 'hair.' The name has been used historically in various contexts within Chinese culture, and its etymology can be traced back to ancient Chinese texts, where names often carried significant meanings related to nature or personal attributes.
The phonetic representation of Mao in Mandarin is /māo/, which has been consistent through the centuries, reflecting the stability of the language's phonetics. Historically, the name Mao is most notably associated with Mao Zedong, a prominent figure in 20th-century Chinese history who played a crucial role in the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
His influence on Chinese society and politics has made the name Mao widely recognized, though it is important to note that the name itself predates him by centuries. The use of Mao as a given name can be traced back to various dynasties in China, where it was not uncommon for names to reflect familial lineage or virtues.
Culturally, the name Mao carries connotations of strength and resilience, often associated with the natural world. In traditional Chinese culture, names are chosen with care, often reflecting hopes for the child's future or familial aspirations.
The name Mao can also be linked to various historical figures and literary references, which have contributed to its resonance within Chinese culture. While diminutive forms of the name are less common, variations and combinations with other characters are often used to create unique names that maintain the essence of the original meaning.
Famous people named Mao
In this section, you will find notable people named Mao. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Mao who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Mao who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Mao Zedong was a revolutionary and political leader best known for founding the People's Republic of China, leading the Chinese Communist Party, and initiating the Cultural Revolution.
Fictional characters named Mao
The following list of fictional characters named Mao is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Mao is a fictional character from the video game series Persona. They are a significant character in the story, often providing guidance and support to the protagonist.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mao, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mao. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Mao was first seen in the United States in 1980.
Mao has ranked as high as #1099 nationally, which occurred in 1983, and has been most popular in California, and Minnesota.
In the past 5 years the name Mao has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mao is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Mao was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Mao (2011)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Mao.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 1999 | 7 |
| 1997 | 9 |
| 1996 | 14 |
| 1995 | 13 |
| 1994 | 5 |
| 1993 | 14 |
| 1992 | 17 |
| 1991 | 16 |
| 1990 | 10 |
| 1989 | 12 |
| 1988 | 11 |
| 1987 | 10 |
| 1986 | 16 |
| 1985 | 14 |
| 1984 | 10 |
| 1983 | 17 |
| 1982 | 10 |
| 1981 | 12 |
| 1980 | 9 |