Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Mayer
BoyYiddish, Hebrew· “variant of Meir, shining”
- Meaning
- variant of Meir, shining
- Origin
- Yiddish, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- MY-ur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,898
- US babies 2025
- 83
- Best rank
- #1,757 (2021)
- Peak year
- 2021
Meaning and origin of Mayer
Mayer is a Yiddish and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “variant of Meir, shining”.
Mayer is a variant of Meir, a Hebrew name meaning shining or one who gives light, from the root or, light. Meir has been a common name in Jewish communities for centuries, and the Yiddish form Mayer or Meyer developed in Central and Eastern Europe. It is also a German surname, derived from the Latin maior, meaning a steward or head farmer. As a given name it is said MY-ur. Mayer Amschel Rothschild, founder of the banking dynasty, is a well-known historical bearer. The name has a traditional, dignified style. Meyer is another common spelling.
Popularity over time
Mayer first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,757 in 2021, the same year it reached its highest count of 92 babies. In 2025, 83 babies were named Mayer, and it ranked #1,898 nationally. That is 36% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #3,703 in 1920, #3,565 in 1950, #6,908 in 1980, #3,264 in 2000, #2,536 in 2010, and #1,898 in 2025. Of the 2,545 US boys named Mayer since records began, 23% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 513 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Aharon, Asad, Theodor, Azaan, and Uzziah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mayer ranked highest in New York and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #444 | 39 |
| New Jersey | #565 | 13 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 95% of US babies named Mayer over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Mayer is usually pronounced MY-ur, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-er”.
Middle names for Mayer
A few middle names that flow with Mayer: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mayer
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Lists that include Mayer
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mayer mean?
Mayer is a Yiddish and Hebrew name that is usually said to mean “variant of Meir, shining”.
What is the origin of the name Mayer?
Mayer has Yiddish and Hebrew roots. Mayer is a variant of Meir, a Hebrew name meaning shining or one who gives light, from the root or, light.
Is Mayer a popular name?
Not especially. Mayer ranked #1,898 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Mayer a boy or girl name?
Mayer is mainly a boy's name. About 95% of US babies named Mayer over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Mayer?
Mayer is usually pronounced MY-ur. 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