Mavis

Mavis is a female given name, derived from a name for the common Old World song thrush. Its first modern usage was in Marie Corelli's 1895 novel The Sorrows of Satan, which featured a character named Mavis Clare (whose name was said to be "rather odd but suitable", as "she sings quite as sweetly as any thrush"[1]). The name was long obsolete by the 19th century, but known from its poetic use, as in Robert Burns's 1794 poem Ca' the Yowes ("Hark the mavis evening sang/Sounding Clouden's woods amang");[2] and in the popular love song "Mary of Argyle" (c.1850), where lyricist Charles Jefferys wrote, "I have heard the mavis singing its love-song to the morn."[3]

Mavis had its height of popularity between the 1920s and 1940s. Its usage declined thereafter, and it has been rather unfashionable since the 1960s.[4]

Notable people

Fictional characters

References

  1. Marie Corelli 'The Sorrows of Satan 2006 Adamant Media Corporation p. 127
  2. "Traditional Scottish Songs - Ca' the Yowes". rampantscotland.com. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  3. "Here in the Bonny Glen: Poetry Friday: Bonny Mary o' Argyle". typepad.com. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
  4. Campbell, Mike. "Meaning, origin and history of the name Mavis". behindthename.com. Retrieved 28 January 2017.
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