Mavis is a name of Welsh origin, derived from the Welsh word "mabs", which means "sweet". The name has been used historically in Wales and among the Welsh diaspora around the world. It was not particularly common until the late Victorian era when it began to gain popularity in English-speaking countries.
The name Mavis is associated with the Welsh legendary figure of Mabon, who is known as the Fisher King in Arthurian legend. In Welsh mythology, Mabon is a son of Modron, who is abducted and imprisoned by unknown forces. His mother searches for him tirelessly, eventually finding him after encountering many obstacles.
Despite its historical significance, Mavis has not been a very popular name throughout history. It was ranked among the top 1000 names in the United States during the early to mid-20th century but has since declined in popularity. Today, it is considered a vintage or retro name that may be chosen for its uniqueness and historical ties.
In literature and popular culture, Mavis is not particularly common as a character's name. However, it has been used occasionally, such as in the case of Mavis Gary, the protagonist of Chuck Klosterman's novel "I Hope Like Hell". The name Mavis also appears in works by Welsh author Arthur Machen, who used it as the name of one of his characters.
Overall, Mavis is a unique and historically significant name with a sweet meaning that may appeal to parents looking for something different or those with Welsh ancestry.
The name Mavis has been a part of the United States' birth records for several decades, with a fluctuating number of births each year. The name first appeared in the records in 1916 with five births that year, and it continued to appear intermittently until 1949.
During this period, there were years with no recorded births bearing the name Mavis, such as between 1927 and 1928, and again from 1934 to 1935. However, when the name did appear, it ranged from five to thirteen births in a single year.
The peak of popularity for the name Mavis was in 1920 with thirteen births that year. This is notably higher than any other year during this period, suggesting that there might have been a particular attraction to the name during this time.
Despite the fluctuations, the name Mavis has consistently appeared in U.S. birth records over these years, totaling 135 births from 1916 to 1949. This demonstrates that while not exceptionally popular, the name Mavis has maintained a steady presence among parents' naming choices during this time period.