The nameMao
Mao is a short boy's name that has been rising in France since the 2010s.
- Boy's name
- Probably Breton
Meaning
It is often linked to the Breton mav or mao, "cheerful, lively". Its origin is still debated.
Origin
Probably Breton, a modern name.
History
First given in France in the late 1990s, Mao rose clearly in the 2010s and peaked in the early 2020s, especially in the Pays de la Loire and Hauts-de-France regions.
Popularity of the name Mao
Mao in France
Mao was most popular in France in the 2020s, with 695 births over the decade, 46% of all recorded babies named Mao. Its rise began around 2003, and it peaked in 2022. Half of all babies named Mao in France were born before 2019, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been rising: 117 births a year on average, against 83 in the five years before.
Mao in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mao mean?
It is often linked to the Breton mav or mao, "cheerful, lively". Its origin is still debated.
What is the origin of the name Mao?
Probably Breton, a modern name.
Is Mao a girl's or a boy's name?
Mao is a boy's name.