Mayo Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAY-oh //ˈmeɪ.oʊ//
Origin: Japanese; Irish
Meaning: Japanese: 'river'; Irish: 'son of the sea'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Mayo has its roots in the Latin word "maius," which means "greater" or "larger." This term was associated with the month of May, which was named after the Roman goddess Maia, who was linked to growth and fertility. The transition of the name into English can be traced through the influence of the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where Latin and Old French intermixed, leading to various adaptations of names derived from these roots.
The name Mayo, as it appears in English, likely emerged during this period, reflecting the linguistic shifts occurring in the British Isles. Historically, the name Mayo has been borne by various notable figures, particularly in the context of Irish heritage.
In the 12th century, Mayo was also associated with the establishment of the Abbey of Mayo, a significant religious site in Ireland. This connection to a place of worship and community contributed to the name's resonance within Irish culture.
Additionally, the name appears in various historical texts and records, often linked to local nobility or landowners, which further solidified its standing in medieval society. Culturally, the name Mayo carries connotations of strength and prominence, stemming from its etymological roots.
It has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, symbolizing growth and vitality, much like the month of May itself. The name's association with the natural world and seasonal change has allowed it to maintain a certain timeless quality.
While diminutive forms or variations may exist, the name Mayo stands out in its own right, reflecting a rich tapestry of linguistic and cultural history.
Famous people named Mayo
In this section, you will find notable people named Mayo. 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 Mayo who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Mayo 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.
Mayo Angelou is a poet and author best known for I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, And Still I Rise, and The Heart of a Woman.
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit medical practice and medical research group best known for its patient care, medical education, and research initiatives.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mayo, 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 Mayo. 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 Mayo was first seen in the United States in 1893.
Mayo has ranked as high as #1903 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas, and Georgia.
In the past 5 years the name Mayo has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Mayo 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 Mayo was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
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 Mayo.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2003 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1992 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1991 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1990 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1989 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1987 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1985 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1984 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1983 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1981 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1980 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1979 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1978 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1977 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1976 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1973 | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| 1972 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1971 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1970 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1969 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1968 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1967 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1966 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| 1964 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1963 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1962 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1961 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1960 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1959 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1958 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1957 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1956 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1955 | 15 | 15 | 0 |
| 1954 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1953 | 17 | 12 | 5 |
| 1952 | 15 | 9 | 6 |
| 1951 | 18 | 12 | 6 |
| 1950 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1949 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1948 | 14 | 9 | 5 |
| 1947 | 20 | 14 | 6 |
| 1946 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1945 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1944 | 9 | 9 | 0 |
| 1943 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1942 | 22 | 22 | 0 |
| 1941 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1940 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1939 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1938 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1937 | 25 | 19 | 6 |
| 1936 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1935 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1934 | 23 | 18 | 5 |
| 1933 | 25 | 19 | 6 |
| 1932 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1931 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1930 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 1929 | 23 | 23 | 0 |
| 1928 | 36 | 30 | 6 |
| 1927 | 33 | 26 | 7 |
| 1926 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1925 | 45 | 32 | 13 |
| 1924 | 41 | 29 | 12 |
| 1923 | 46 | 33 | 13 |
| 1922 | 52 | 37 | 15 |
| 1921 | 54 | 38 | 16 |
| 1920 | 46 | 36 | 10 |
| 1919 | 39 | 25 | 14 |
| 1918 | 37 | 27 | 10 |
| 1917 | 43 | 33 | 10 |
| 1916 | 44 | 29 | 15 |
| 1915 | 53 | 41 | 12 |
| 1914 | 37 | 26 | 11 |
| 1913 | 26 | 17 | 9 |
| 1912 | 19 | 14 | 5 |
| 1911 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1910 | 11 | 6 | 5 |
| 1909 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1905 | 12 | 6 | 6 |
| 1904 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1903 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1902 | 11 | 5 | 6 |
| 1895 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1893 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
Top States for Mayo (1957)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 5 |