The first name Mavis

In 2025, 48 girls were named Mavis, making it the 763rd most popular girls’ name. It peaked in 2024, with 64 births (#610).

Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Mavis with other names.

In 2025, 537 girls born in the United States were named Mavis, the 561st most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 1927, when 603 were.

US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

Nicknames for Mavis

• Mamie

• Mavis Staples
  American singer, born 1939
• Mavis Gallant
  Canadian writer (1922–2014)
• Mavis Freeman
  American swimmer, Olympic bronze medalist (1918–1988)
• Mavis Batey
  British cryptoanalyst, diplomat and garden historian (1921-2013)
• Judith Durham
  Australian singer and musician (1943–2022)

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, 48 girls born in England and Wales were named Mavis, ranking 763rd. Its peak was 2024, with 64 births.

What are nicknames for Mavis?

Common nicknames for Mavis include Mamie.

Is Mavis a boy's or a girl's name?

Mostly a girl's name: 99% of the 23,150 US babies named Mavis since 1880 were girls.

When was Mavis most popular?

1927 in the United States, when 603 babies were named Mavis, its highest rank at 270th.

How do you pronounce Mavis?

Mavis is /ˈmeɪvɪs/, 2 syllables.

Is Mavis also a surname?

Yes. Mavis is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.