Maynard is a name of English origin that has been used for centuries. It is derived from the Old English word "Maegenhard," which means "strong and brave." The name was popular among Norman families who settled in England after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
The name Maynard is composed of two elements: "maegen," which means "strength" or "might," and "hard," which means "strong" or "brave." Thus, the name as a whole signifies "strong and brave."
Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Maynard. One of the most famous was Sir Thomas Maynard, who served as the Lord Mayor of London in 1429. Another prominent figure was Sir Henry Maynard, who was appointed as the Lieutenant of the Tower of London during the reign of King James I.
Despite its historic roots and notable bearers, the name Maynard is not particularly common today. However, it remains a distinctive and appealing choice for parents seeking a unique name with a rich history and strong meaning.
The name Maynard experienced a significant rise and fall in popularity over the past century and a half. Initially, there were minimal occurrences with only 12 births in 1880. The number of births fluctuated until the early 1900s when it started to rise rapidly, reaching a peak of 374 births in 1920.
However, from the late 1920s onwards, there was a steady decline in the popularity of the name Maynard. By the 1980s, the number of births had dropped significantly, with only 21 births recorded in 1985. This downward trend continued into the new millennium, with fewer than 30 births per year recorded between 2000 and 2022, except for a brief increase to 67 births in 2004.
In total, there were 14,901 births named Maynard over the period from 1880 to 2023.