The name Maud is of Germanic origin and means "mighty in battle" or "famous warrior". It was brought to England by the Normans during the 11th century and was initially a male name, but over time it became more commonly used for females. In French, the name is spelled Mahaut, and it has been borne by several notable historical figures, including Mahaut of Artois, who lived in the late 13th to early 14th centuries and was known for her intelligence and political influence. Today, Maud is still a popular choice for girls' names in English-speaking countries.
"The name Maud experienced significant popularity from the late 19th century to around the turn of the century, with over 400 births per year consistently between 1882 and 1905. However, its popularity sharply declined thereafter, dropping below 100 births per year by the 1930s, and fluctuating between single digits and zero since the 1960s."