Mayo
A unisex Spanish name meaning "the elder" or "the older one".
Name Census estimates that about 440 living Americans carry the first name Mayo. It appears on both sides of the gender split, with 82.8% of registrations being male. The average person named Mayo today is around 66 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Mayo births was 1921 (54 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Mayo. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Mayo is about 66 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Mayos were born before 1970.
People living today
440
~ 1 in 778,987 Americans
Peak year
1921
54 babies that year
Average age
66
years old
2005 SSA rank
#12,686
Tracked since 1893
Gender
Gender distribution for Mayo
Mayo leans heavily male at 82.8% of total registrations, but 256 girls have also been registered with the name over the years, giving it a small but present crossover presence.
Mayo as a male name
- Ranked #12,686 in 2005
- 5 male births in 2005
- Peak: 1915 (41 births)
Mayo as a female name
- Ranked #13,744 in 1989
- 5 female births in 1989
- Peak: 1921 (16 births)
Popularity
Mayo: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Mayo from the 1890s through to the 2000s, spanning 12 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1920s, with 394 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1920s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mayo by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Mayo during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Mayos live
The SSA's state-level files cover 4 states and territories. Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas recorded the most babies named Mayo, while Georgia, Texas, North Carolina recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 15 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Mayo
The name Mayo is believed to have its origins in the Spanish language and culture. It is derived from the word "mayo," which means the month of May in Spanish. This name was likely given to children born during this month, as it was a common practice in many cultures to name children after the time or circumstances of their birth.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mayo can be found in the historical records of Spain, dating back to the 16th century. During this time, Spain was a prominent colonial power, and the name may have been introduced to other parts of the world through Spanish exploration and settlement.
In the religious context, the name Mayo may have been associated with the celebration of the Virgin Mary, as the month of May was traditionally dedicated to honoring the mother of Jesus in the Catholic faith. However, there is no definitive evidence of the name's usage in religious texts or scriptures.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mayo. One of the earliest recorded figures was Mayo de Bañuelos, a Spanish nobleman and military commander who lived in the 15th century. He played a significant role in the conquest of the Canary Islands and was recognized for his bravery and leadership.
Another prominent figure was Mayo Gebre, an Ethiopian prince and military leader who lived in the 16th century. He was known for his skill in leading armies and his involvement in various conflicts during the reign of Emperor Galawdewos.
In the 19th century, Mayo Lyder was a Norwegian explorer and adventurer who led expeditions to the Arctic regions. His voyages and discoveries contributed to the advancement of geographical knowledge and exploration during that era.
Moving into the 20th century, Mayo Methot was an American actress and playwright who lived from 1904 to 1951. She was known for her work in theater and her turbulent personal life, including her marriage to renowned actor Humphrey Bogart.
Another notable figure was Mayo Hubbard, an American lawyer and politician who served as the Lieutenant Governor of Maine from 1975 to 1979. He played a significant role in state politics and was recognized for his dedication to public service.
While the name Mayo is not as common today as it was in previous centuries, it holds a rich historical legacy that spans various cultures, professions, and time periods. Its origins in the Spanish language and association with the month of May have contributed to its unique meaning and enduring presence throughout history.
People
Mayo + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Mayo as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Mayo: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Mayo?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 440 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Mayo going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 778,987 US residents.
Is Mayo a common name?
We classify Mayo as "Very Rare". It ranks above 83.3% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 1,492 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Mayo most popular?
The single biggest year for Mayo was 1921, when 54 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Mayo is about 66 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Mayo a male name?
Yes, 82.8% of people registered as Mayo in the SSA data are male. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.