Mavis

The female first name Mavis can be translated from English as 'the song thrush' and has its origin in the Old French word mauvis, which means 'thrush.' The popularity of the name Mavis increased at the beginning of the 20th century.

What does the name Mavis mean?

The name Mavis stands for 'the song thrush' and has developed from the Old French mauvis, which means 'thrush.' Its popularity is partly due to the literary character Mavis from the 1895 novel 'The Sorrows of Satan' by British author Marie Corelli, which has been adapted into film multiple times. Notable bearers of the name include Canadian writer Mavis Gallant († 2014) and American singer Mavis Staples.

Where does the name Mavis come from?

The first name Mavis has its roots in Old French and English and means 'the song thrush.' Mavis is pronounced in various English language variants, including American, Australian, and Canadian English, as well as New Zealand English.

How do you pronounce Mavis?

The pronunciation of Mavis is clear and consists of two syllables. In German, the name is usually pronounced as 'Ma-vis' [ˈmeɪvɪs] or Germanized as [ˈmaːvɪs]. It begins with an open A sound that conveys width, followed by a voiced V that creates a gentle dynamic. The sharp S at the end provides a concise finish. Mavis sounds modern and self-assured and has a lively, clear tone.

Popularity

In Germany, the name Mavis enjoys great popularity. Currently, it ranks 1,630th on the list of the most common female first names. Its best placement was in 2022 at 910th. In the last ten years, the name has been given about 240 times, earning it a position of 1,405 during this period. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 1,699th.

Nicknames & pet names

Mav / Mave / Mavey / Mavi / May

Famous people

• Mavis Adjei (actress from Ghana)
• Mavis Cheek (British writer)
• Mavis Chloe Rivers (Samoan singer)
• Mavis Doering (artist from the USA)
• Mavis Dracula (character from 'Hotel Transylvania')
• Mavis Fan (American actress)
• Mavis Gallant (Canadian writer)
• Mavis Hee (Singaporean singer)
• Mavis Henderson (English badminton player)
• Mavis Horsburgh (Australian badminton player)
• Mavis Kerr (New Zealand badminton player)
• Mavis Laing (American sprinter)
• Mavis Macnaughton (badminton player from Ireland)
• Mavis Nicholson (writer from England)
• Mavis Parrot Kelsey (American physicist)
• Mavis Pugh (actress from Great Britain)
• Mavis Staines (Canadian dancer)
• Mavis Staples (singer from the USA)
• Mavis Vermillion (character from the series 'Fairy Tail')
• Nina Mavis Brunner (Swiss television presenter)