Curtis
Curtis is a boy's name of French origin.
Meaning
Courteous, polite, or well-mannered.
Origin and history
Curtis is a traditional masculine name derived from an Old French surname meaning 'courteous' or 'polite'. It transitioned from a medieval surname and nickname into a popular given name in the English-speaking world. In the United States, it enjoyed strong historical usage throughout the 20th century and remains a familiar, classic choice.
Popularity in the United States
260,554 babies in the United States have been named Curtis since 1880. It ranks #145 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #799.
States where it is most popular
- TX (7.3 %)
- CA (6.6 %)
- GA (4.4 %)
- IL (4.4 %)
- NC (4.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 695 |
| 1890-1900 | 928 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,683 |
| 1910-1920 | 8,911 |
| 1920-1930 | 16,138 |
| 1930-1940 | 18,008 |
| 1940-1950 | 26,009 |
| 1950-1960 | 46,324 |
| 1960-1970 | 47,244 |
| 1970-1980 | 28,808 |
| 1980-1990 | 29,910 |
| 1990-2000 | 19,205 |
| 2000-2010 | 9,650 |
| 2010-2019 | 5,323 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,718 |
Famous people named Curtis
- Curtis Mayfield: Singer, Songwriter
- Curtis Jackson: Rapper, Actor
- Curtis Granderson: Baseball Player, Philanthropist
Nicknames
Curt, Curtie
Fun facts
- Curtis originated as an Old French nickname 'curteis' for a person with courteous or refined manners before becoming a hereditary surname.
- Over 260,000 boys in the United States have been named Curtis since 1880, peaking in popularity during the mid-20th century.