Mavia first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Mavia has been for the last 1 years (from 1988 to 1988) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Mavia

A feminine name of Arabic origin meaning "walking with pride".

Popularity of Mavia by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Mavia is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1988, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Mavia.

Year Male Count Female Count
1988 0 5

The history of the first name Mavia

The name Mavia is believed to have its origins in the ancient Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "ma'wiya," which means "shelter" or "refuge." This name was commonly used in the Arabian Peninsula during the early medieval period, particularly among the Bedouin tribes of the desert regions.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of the name Mavia can be found in the ancient Arabic poetry of the 6th century CE. Several pre-Islamic poets, such as Imru' al-Qais and Labid, made references to individuals bearing this name in their works. It is believed that the name was popular among the nomadic tribes of the region due to its association with the concept of protection and sanctuary.

In the 7th century CE, during the rise of Islam, the name Mavia gained further significance as it was mentioned in several historical accounts and religious texts. It is recorded that a woman named Mavia bint Malik played a significant role in the early days of the Islamic conquest, serving as a trusted advisor to the Prophet Muhammad and his companions.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Mavia. One of the most prominent was Mavia al-Kurdi (1570-1638), a Kurdish military leader and ruler who established an independent principality in northern Mesopotamia. She is renowned for her military prowess and her successful resistance against the Ottoman Empire.

Another influential figure was Mavia al-Andalusi (1130-1195), a renowned scholar and poet from the Andalusian region of Spain during the golden age of Islamic culture. Her works were widely celebrated and influenced the literary traditions of the era.

In the 19th century, Mavia Begum (1820-1878) was a prominent figure in the Indian princely state of Awadh. She was known for her patronage of the arts, literature, and architecture, and her influence on the cultural life of the region.

Moving forward in time, Mavia Karzai (1899-1968) was an Afghan politician and diplomat who played a significant role in the country's independence movement and served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs during the 1950s.

Lastly, Mavia Muthama (1933-2019) was a prominent Kenyan politician and women's rights activist. She was one of the first female members of the Kenyan Parliament and dedicated her life to advocating for gender equality and social justice.

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 Mavia was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Mavia first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on June 26, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/mavia-meaning-and-history/.

"Mavia first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/mavia-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 26 June, 2025

Mavia first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/mavia-meaning-and-history/.

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