Message: "Mavis" - Behind the Name

Mavis

by Magz (guest)

12/18/2013, 9:46 AM

I was helping a customer at work the other day and she told me her name was Mavis. She was an older lady, probably 70s or 80s, but I got to thinking about the name. To me it seems like a name that ages well, if that makes sense. Would you use it for a child? What nicknames could you use?

Mae
Avi
Vi

#Mavis

Replies

- Violet (dlilly)

12/19/2013, 4:26 PM

I love Mavis. I had a recent name crush on it. Even though it still feels "old" to me, I don't care. I'd use it. If I were to nickname her I'd probably only use May.

- blaaaarg (blaaarg)

12/18/2013, 7:00 PM

Avi is NOT a nickname for Mavis. U nuts? Sheesh. Neither Vi. Mae is a fairly intuitive one. I bet if I liked this name I'd call her Mave with some frequency.

I think Mavis will become cool to me in about five years. Right now it's still super gnarly and dated.

- Wordsmith

12/18/2013, 4:29 PM

I love Mavis! It's fusty and oddly charming. If I had to use a nickname, it would definitely be Mae.

- bex (guest)

12/18/2013, 1:34 PM

Love it

Its my new favourite name the moment. My gran has a friend named Mavis, I love it.

I'd call her Mae or Maeve for short :)

- oak (BBH)

12/18/2013, 1:31 PM

This seems so outmoded to me -- but this type of name has the habit of creeping into my favor. That said, I have known a person with this name. Not necessarily a negative connotation, but about the farthest things from a little girl as possible.

- kudriashkajo (jodirae)

12/18/2013, 12:33 PM

Mavis seems like a very sweet old lady! But I'd also love it if someone had the guts to use it on a baby. :) Mae would be a most wonderful nickname at any age. Vi (vee) would be fun and unexpected - cool idea. Mav (mayv) would be okay too.

- Bear +2

12/18/2013, 11:52 AM

Mavie! I love Mavis and the it has a surprising number of nn choices. Win-win.

This is great. I've included Cornelia and Mavis on my polls this morning before I ever saw this thread or the one below it. Hmmm. Something in the air for these two names? Mavis Cornelia? They do seem to like each others company a lot.

Sisters Mavis and Linnet? Too cute? Hmmm. Maybe too cute.

This message was edited 12/18/2013, 11:56 AM

- Magz (guest) +1

12/18/2013, 12:48 PM

LOVE Mavis and Linnet! Not too cute at all! I would probably spell it Lynette, a little more recognizable than the other spelling :)

- Bear

12/18/2013, 2:11 PM

But the pronunciation is different, no? Lynette has the stress on the second syllable, at least where I'm from. While Linnet has it on the first syllable. Plus, the little bird is spelled "linnet" to match "mavis," another little bird. That's why I wondered if they would be cutesy together. Two birds. See? :-)

If I saw Nightingale and Sparrow, or Dove and Lark in a sibling set then I would definitely think that was over the top. But I'm hoping Mavis and Linnet would be less obvious, at least to the general public. Ah, well.

I'm glad you like them together any way you spell it. :-)

This message was edited 12/18/2013, 2:14 PM

- Name Brain

12/18/2013, 11:22 AM

I wouldn't use Mavis, it just reminds me too much of Davis, which is definitely a boy's name. I don't think it's time for a revival yet, but the nicknames are cute.

This message was edited 12/18/2013, 11:22 AM

- xPrincess27x

12/18/2013, 11:13 AM

I just watched the film Saving Mr Banks and in it the name Mavis was described as sexy. Bare in mind though that the film was set in the 60s. Personally I can only imagine it on women in their 70s or older. I know a Mavis who sometimes gets called Mave. (Rave with Mave - she's a music teacher).

- Gracie (YMPvt)

12/18/2013, 10:30 AM

I don't really think it is beautiful, and I don't think I'd use it for a child, but there's something I do like about it. I think it sounds strong and snappy. I would use Mae or Mave as a nickname.

- Calla (Book_Reader22)

12/18/2013, 10:25 AM

I always lumped it together with other dowdy old lady names I don't like--Ethel, Miriam, etc. But then I saw one who was a teenager and she carried it surprisingly well. It made the name seem neat.

I probably won't give her a nn as Mavis is pretty short by itself. I can see Mae or Maeve happening naturally, though. Makes it prettier, I think. :)

- Ismene (Madyson)

12/18/2013, 10:04 AM

Mavis was a flash-in-the-pan-favorite for me not that long ago. I still really like it it's just sort if forgettable to me for some reason. Anyway I do think it ages splendidly. I can literally picture it on someone of any age

Oh and I'd probably use "Maeve" as a nn

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