Mavis

It was used prior to the Corelli novel:

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https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/search?firstname=Mavis&middlename=&lastname=&birthyear=1895&birthyearfilter=before&deathyear=&deathyearfilter=&location=&locationId=&memorialid=&mcid=&linkedToName=&datefilter=&orderby=r&plot=

Since this entry states Mavis is derived from the Old French 'mauvis' of unknown origin I do wonder if it's an older form of 'mauvais' meaning 'Which presents a defect, an essential imperfection; which has little or no value (utilitarian, aesthetic, moral, intellectual). Fairly bad (mediocre), very bad (execrable, horrible, despicable, foul).'

Could also be related to the colour mauve.