Rising since 1992, #1,886 for boys today.
Popularity of Mayer since 1912
Babies named Mayer per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 54 |
| 1920s | 57 |
| 1930s | 65 |
| 1940s | 44 |
| 1950s | 120 |
| 1960s | 106 |
| 1970s | 133 |
| 1980s | 198 |
| 1990s | 276 |
| 2000s | 383 |
| 2010s | 596 |
| 2020s | 513 |
Meaning & origin
Mayer is a surname-turned-first name with German, English, and Dutch roots, meaning 'mayor' or 'bailiff'. It has been in use since at least 1912, but its popularity has fluctuated. In 2025, it ranked 1886, with a 1 in 20,579 rate of newborn boys receiving the name. Its peak year was 2021, indicating recent revival interest. The name has been on a rising trajectory since 1992, and is most popular in New York and New Jersey. Mayer offers a strong occupational feel, similar to names like Carter or Taylor, but with a distinctly European heritage.
Mayer is a German and Dutch occupational surname meaning 'mayor' or 'bailiff', derived from Middle High German 'meier' and Latin 'maior' meaning 'greater'. It also functions as an English surname of Norman origin, from Old French 'mairie' (mayor). As a given name, it gained modest use in the United States, particularly since the early 20th century.
Where Mayer is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Mayer” around the world
Where Mayer lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: May
Sibling names for Mayer
Names that share Mayer's style, for a brother or sister.
