Mavis
Coined at the end of the 19th century from mavis, a poetical name for the song thrush.
Every Mavis since 1893 — 23,150 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Mavis
Mavis is uncommon for girls in the United States, ranked #561 in 2025 with 537 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1893, 23,150 American babies have been named Mavis. Its peak came in 1927, when 603 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Mavis stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Mavis year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 537 | #561 | — | — |
| 2024 | 533 | #566 | — | — |
| 2023 | 502 | #595 | — | — |
| 2022 | 429 | #682 | — | — |
| 2021 | 378 | #755 | — | — |
| 2020 | 325 | #841 | — | — |
| 2019 | 321 | #842 | — | — |
| 2018 | 304 | #890 | — | — |
| 2017 | 342 | #800 | — | — |
| 2016 | 361 | #790 | — | — |
| 2015 | 269 | #1,004 | — | — |
| 2014 | 232 | #1,103 | — | — |
| 2013 | 167 | #1,389 | — | — |
| 2012 | 43 | #3,688 | — | — |
| 2011 | 39 | #3,886 | — | — |
| 2010 | 19 | #6,811 | — | — |
| 2009 | 16 | #7,946 | — | — |
| 2008 | 11 | #10,546 | — | — |
| 2007 | 13 | #9,366 | — | — |
| 2006 | 12 | #9,698 | — | — |
| 2005 | 12 | #9,244 | — | — |
| 2004 | 15 | #7,692 | — | — |
| 2003 | 13 | #8,320 | — | — |
| 2002 | 12 | #8,640 | — | — |
| 2001 | 12 | #8,549 | — | — |
| 2000 | 12 | #8,367 | — | — |
| 1995 | 14 | #6,498 | — | — |
| 1990 | 16 | #5,730 | — | — |
| 1985 | 13 | #5,560 | — | — |
| 1980 | 24 | #3,465 | — | — |
| 1975 | 27 | #2,782 | — | — |
| 1970 | 45 | #1,924 | — | — |
| 1965 | 70 | #1,299 | — | — |
| 1960 | 134 | #918 | — | — |
| 1955 | 171 | #726 | — | — |
| 1950 | 209 | #579 | — | — |
| 1945 | 229 | #477 | — | — |
| 1940 | 333 | #354 | — | — |
| 1935 | 406 | #304 | 8 | #2,864 |
| 1930 | 531 | #282 | 6 | #3,861 |
| 1925 | 579 | #277 | 9 | #3,060 |
| 1920 | 487 | #295 | 13 | #2,410 |
| 1915 | 264 | #372 | — | — |
| 1910 | 37 | #701 | — | — |
| 1905 | 18 | #890 | — | — |
| 1900 | 19 | #877 | — | — |
| 1895 | 12 | #963 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Mavis
- Mavis Staples Singer · b. 1939
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mavis mean?
Coined at the end of the 19th century from mavis, a poetical name for the song thrush.
How popular is the name Mavis in 2025?
Mavis ranked #561 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 537 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Mavis?
23,150 babies have been named Mavis in the United States since 1893, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Mavis most popular?
Mavis peaked in 1927, when 603 newborns received the name.
Is Mavis a boy or girl name?
Mavis is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 99% of babies with the name.
Is the name Mavis rising or falling?
Mavis is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Mavis?
Well-known people named Mavis include Mavis Staples (singer).