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Mavis Girl

Popularity: #478 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Origin(s)

PronunciationMAY-vis / /ˈmeɪ.vɪs/

Latin; English

Meaning

Latin: songbird; English: a name of uncertain origin

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Mavis has its roots in the Old French word "mauvis," which means "thrush," a type of songbird. This term was derived from the Latin "mavis," which also referred to the thrush, and can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root *mei-, meaning "to change" or "to grow." The name entered the English language during the Middle Ages, particularly gaining traction in the 14th century, when it was used in poetry and literature to evoke themes of nature and beauty, often associated with the arrival of spring and the joy of songbirds.

Historically, Mavis appears in various literary works, notably in Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Canterbury Tales" in the 14th century, where it is used to symbolize the arrival of spring. The name has also been associated with medieval traditions, where birds were often seen as symbols of the soul or messengers of the divine. In the 19th century, Mavis was further popularized through its use in literature and poetry, reflecting the Romantic movement's fascination with nature and pastoral themes.

Culturally, Mavis has been imbued with connotations of joy, music, and the beauty of nature, which contributed to its enduring presence in various forms of art and literature. The name's association with the thrush, known for its melodious song, has made it a symbol of happiness and the arrival of spring. Additionally, diminutive forms such as Mave have emerged, though Mavis itself remains the most recognized form. Overall, the name Mavis encapsulates a rich tapestry of linguistic evolution, historical significance, and cultural resonance.

Trend Summary

Mavis has experienced a gradual increase in popularity in the United States since the early 2000s.

Similar Names

Variants

  • Mave
  • Mavie

International Variants

  • Mavis (English)
  • Mavise (French)

Famous people named Mavis

Mavis Staples is a singer and civil rights activist best known for her work with The Staple Singers, as well as her solo albums and collaborations with various artists.

Mavis Beacon is a fictional character best known as the face of the Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing software series.

Fictional characters named Mavis

Mavis Dracula is a fictional character from the animated film series Hotel Transylvania. She is the teenage daughter of Count Dracula who seeks to explore the human world and find her own identity.

Mavis is a fictional character from the video game series Castlevania. She is a powerful sorceress and a key figure in the battle against dark forces.

Sibling Suggestions

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Mavis was first seen in the United States in 1893. Mavis has ranked as high as #460 nationally, which occurred in 1927, and has been most popular in Minnesota, Alabama, North Carolina, Mississippi, and California. In the past 5 years the name Mavis has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

Top States for Mavis (2024)

StateBirthsShare
TX 54
12%
CA 50
11%
FL 24
5%
IN 23
5%
OH 21
5%
WA 18
4%
MO 16
3%
OK 15
3%
WI 15
3%
NC 15
3%
TN 15
3%
PA 14
3%
IL 14
3%
VA 13
3%
NY 13
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

YearBirths
18935
189512
18969
18979
189813
189910
190019
190121
190223
190318
190422
190518
190626
190730
190828
190930
191037
191133
191258
191381
1914119
1915264
1916226
1917236
1918290
1919364
1920487
1921552
1922538
1923546
1924581
1925579
1926556
1927603
1928547
1929540
1930531
1931472
1932494
1933458
1934485
1935406
1936433
1937452
1938388
1939389
1940333
1941323
1942288
1943280
1944273
1945229
1946231
1947288
1948232
1949220
1950209
1951162
1952244
1953189
1954187
1955171
1956143
1957163
1958118
1959136
1960134
1961155
1962159
1963125
1964114
196570
196676
196761
196856
196937
197045
197140
197245
197343
197423
197527
197629
197723
197832
197928
198024
198119
198222
198328
198415
198513
198612
198714
198814
198915
199016
199116
199221
199311
199410
199514
199610
19979
199814
199910
200012
200112
200212
200313
200415
200512
200612
200713
200811
200916
201019
201139
201243
2013167
2014232
2015267
2016361
2017342
2018304
2019321
2020324
2021377
2022429
2023502
2024532