Holding steady, #9,714 for boys today.
Popularity of Maynard since 1880
Babies named Maynard per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 69 |
| 1890s | 176 |
| 1900s | 316 |
| 1910s | 2,267 |
| 1920s | 3,649 |
| 1930s | 3,096 |
| 1940s | 2,092 |
| 1950s | 1,305 |
| 1960s | 672 |
| 1970s | 416 |
| 1980s | 254 |
| 1990s | 181 |
| 2000s | 192 |
| 2010s | 158 |
| 2020s | 75 |
Meaning & origin
Maynard is a name of Old Germanic origin that entered English through Norman French, carrying the strong meanings of 'strength' and 'bravery.' It was most popular in the early 20th century, reaching its peak rank in 1922. Since then, its usage has declined sharply: in 2025, the name ranked 9,714th, with an estimated 1 in every 244,011 newborns given the name. The trajectory has remained stable at a low level, and it is rarely encountered today. Unlike some surnames-turned-first-names, Maynard never broke into the top 1,000 most popular names in recent decades, making it a distinctive choice for parents seeking something uncommon with a solid historical background.
Maynard is derived from the Old French name Mainard, itself from the Germanic Maginhard, combining 'magin' (strength) and 'hard' (brave, hardy). It arrived in England after the Norman Conquest and became a hereditary surname before occasional use as a given name. The name saw modest popularity in the early 20th century but has since become uncommon.
Where Maynard is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: May
Variants: Maynerd
Sibling names for Maynard
Names that share Maynard's style, for a brother or sister.
