Find out how popular the first name Mao has been for the last 37 years (from 1980 to 2016) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mao by gender

Based on the last 37 years of data, Mao is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 97% of people named Mao being female.

For the most recent data in 2016, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Mao.

The history of the first name Mao

The name Mao is derived from the Chinese language and has its roots in ancient Chinese culture. It is believed to have originated from the word "毛" which means "hair" or "fur" in Mandarin Chinese. This word can be traced back to the earliest written records of the Chinese language, dating back to the Shang Dynasty around 1600-1046 BC.

One of the earliest known references to the name Mao can be found in the classic Chinese text, the Analects of Confucius, which was written during the Spring and Autumn period of ancient China (770-476 BC). In this text, the name Mao is mentioned as the surname of one of Confucius' disciples, Mao Qing.

Throughout Chinese history, the name Mao has been associated with several notable figures. One of the most famous individuals with this name is Mao Zedong (1893-1976), the founding leader of the People's Republic of China and the principal figure of the Chinese Communist Revolution.

Another notable historical figure with the name Mao was Mao Dun (1896-1981), a renowned Chinese writer and cultural critic who was one of the pioneers of the modern Chinese literary movement. His works, such as "Midnight" and "Rainbow," explored the social and political issues of his time and are considered classics of 20th-century Chinese literature.

In the realm of Chinese philosophy, the name Mao is associated with Mao Qiling (326-376 AD), a prominent Daoist thinker and alchemist during the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He is credited with contributing to the development of the Daoist tradition of inner alchemy and the pursuit of immortality.

Moving to the world of arts, Mao Xiang (1611-1693) was a renowned Chinese painter and calligrapher during the Qing Dynasty. His works, particularly his landscape paintings, are celebrated for their innovative techniques and unique styles, and he is regarded as one of the most influential artists of his time.

Another historical figure with the name Mao is Mao Zedong's wife, Mao Lian (1867-1910). She was a prominent feminist and activist who advocated for women's rights and education in early 20th-century China, and her efforts contributed to the advancement of the women's movement in the country.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Mao was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Mao, please contact us.

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