Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Mavis
GirlEnglish· “song thrush”
- Meaning
- song thrush
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- MAY-vuhs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #561
- US babies 2025
- 537
- Best rank
- #270 (1927)
- Peak year
- 1927
Meaning and origin of Mavis
Mavis is an English name that means “song thrush”.
Mavis is an old English word for the song thrush, a songbird, from the Old French mauvis. As a given name, Mavis first appeared in the late nineteenth century and is often credited to Marie Corelli's novel The Sorrows of Satan, which features a character named Mavis Clare. The name has a soft, vintage sound and a nature-inspired meaning connected to birdsong. Mavis Staples, the gospel and soul singer, is a famous modern bearer. Mave is a possible nickname.
Popularity over time
Mavis first appears in US Social Security records in 1893. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 76 different years, starting in 1895. Its best national rank was #270 in 1927, the same year it reached its highest count of 603 babies. In 2025, 537 babies were named Mavis, and it ranked #561 nationally. That is 100% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #295 in 1920, #579 in 1950, #3,465 in 1980, #8,367 in 2000, #6,811 in 2010, and #561 in 2025. Of the 23,015 US girls named Mavis since records began, 24% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 4,508 babies. Since 2010, 4,801 more have been named Mavis.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Rhoda, Dorthy, Fay, Earline, and Lenore.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mavis ranked highest in North Dakota, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | #183 | 6 |
| Oklahoma | #237 | 17 |
| New Mexico | #239 | 7 |
| Montana | #240 | 5 |
| Idaho | #269 | 9 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Mavis is usually pronounced MAY-vuhs, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-is”.
Middle names for Mavis
A few middle names that flow with Mavis: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mavis
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Lists that include Mavis
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mavis mean?
Mavis is an English name that means “song thrush”.
What is the origin of the name Mavis?
Mavis has English roots. Mavis is an old English word for the song thrush, a songbird, from the Old French mauvis.
Is Mavis a popular name?
Yes. Mavis ranked #561 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Mavis a boy or girl name?
Mavis is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Mavis?
Mavis is usually pronounced MAY-vuhs. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings