A mayor is the elected head of a town or city government. They often represent the city, lead council meetings, and help make local laws and decisions.
From Old French “maire”, from Latin “major” meaning 'greater' or 'superior', a comparative form of “magnus” 'great'. It originally referred to a higher official or chief. Over time, it narrowed to the chief officer of a town or city.
Mayor literally comes from the idea of 'the greater one'—the person ranked above others in local power. It’s a close relative of 'major', 'majority', and 'magnificent', all circling around the idea of size or importance.
‘Mayor’ has often been implicitly male in many societies, with women historically excluded from electoral politics and local leadership. Language and media frequently highlighted ‘lady mayors’ or ‘female mayors’ as exceptions, reinforcing the idea of the mayor as typically male.
Use ‘mayor’ as a gender-neutral title and avoid adding gendered modifiers unless gender is specifically relevant; use the person’s name and correct pronouns.
Women have served as mayors of major cities and small towns worldwide, expanding representation and challenging assumptions about who can hold executive power.
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