Find out how popular the first name Mayer has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mayer by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Mayer is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 98% of people named Mayer being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 84 male babies and 10 female babies born with the name Mayer.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 10 baby girls were named Mayer in 2023, despite it being a predominantly male name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Mayer

The name Mayer originated from the German language, with its roots dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the German word "meier," which means "steward" or "bailiff." In medieval times, a Meier was a person who oversaw the management and administration of a manor or estate.

The name Mayer gained prominence during the Holy Roman Empire, where it was commonly used among the Germanic population. It was often associated with individuals who held positions of authority or were responsible for managing land and resources.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mayer can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of historical documents from the 9th century. This document mentions a person named "Mayer" who was a landholder and administrator in the region of present-day Germany.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mayer. One of the most famous was Johann Mayer (1486-1552), a German astronomer and mathematician who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics and the motion of planets.

Another prominent figure was Tobias Mayer (1723-1762), a German astronomer and mathematician known for his work on lunar theory and the development of accurate lunar tables. His contributions were instrumental in solving the longitude problem, which had long plagued maritime navigation.

In the realm of philosophy, Robert Mayer (1814-1878) was a German physician and physicist who formulated one of the earliest statements of the law of conservation of energy, a fundamental principle in physics.

The name Mayer also found its way into the arts. Meyer Levin (1905-1981) was an American novelist and playwright known for his works exploring Jewish identity and the Holocaust, such as "The Obsession" and "The Settlers."

In the field of music, John Mayer (born 1977) is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist who has gained international recognition for his blend of pop, rock, and blues genres, with hit songs like "Your Body Is a Wonderland" and "Gravity."

These are just a few examples of notable individuals throughout history who have carried the name Mayer, highlighting its enduring presence across various fields and cultures.

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

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

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