Maureen
Maureen is a girl's name of Irish origin.
Meaning
Star of the sea, wished-for child, or beloved (derived from Mary).
Origin and history
Maureen is an Anglicized form of the Irish name Máirín, which is a diminutive of Máire (Mary). It gained widespread popularity in the mid-20th century in the United States, partly influenced by Irish-American culture and Hollywood actress Maureen O'Hara. Today, it is seen as a classic vintage name with moderate historical usage.
Popularity in the United States
144,276 babies in the United States have been named Maureen since 1880. It ranks #279 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1907.
States where it is most popular
- NY (22.7 %)
- MA (11 %)
- PA (9.5 %)
- IL (7.5 %)
- NJ (7.2 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 12 |
| 1900-1910 | 91 |
| 1910-1920 | 703 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,981 |
| 1930-1940 | 11,460 |
| 1940-1950 | 30,262 |
| 1950-1960 | 42,813 |
| 1960-1970 | 34,449 |
| 1970-1980 | 10,658 |
| 1980-1990 | 7,122 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,018 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,035 |
| 2010-2019 | 478 |
| 2020-2029 | 194 |
Famous people named Maureen
- Maureen O'Hara: Actress, Singer
- Maureen McCormick: Actress, Author
- Maureen Dowd: Journalist, Author
Nicknames
Mo, Reenie, Maura
Fun facts
- Maureen was created as an English spelling adaptation of Máirín, the Irish pet form of Máire.
- Irish-born actress Maureen O'Hara helped popularize the name globally during cinema's Golden Age.