Maurice
Maurice is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Dark-skinned or Moorish.
Origin and history
Maurice is a given name derived from the Latin name Mauricius, which itself comes from Maurus meaning 'dark-skinned' or 'Moorish'. It became widespread throughout Europe due to Saint Maurice, a third-century Roman soldier. In the United States, it has been a well-established classic masculine name throughout the twentieth century.
Popularity in the United States
136,332 babies in the United States have been named Maurice since 1880. It ranks #247 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #862.
States where it is most popular
- NY (8.4 %)
- IL (8.3 %)
- CA (6.1 %)
- PA (5.4 %)
- MI (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 961 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,270 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,980 |
| 1910-1920 | 11,429 |
| 1920-1930 | 16,161 |
| 1930-1940 | 12,638 |
| 1940-1950 | 10,477 |
| 1950-1960 | 12,584 |
| 1960-1970 | 14,643 |
| 1970-1980 | 15,233 |
| 1980-1990 | 15,575 |
| 1990-2000 | 10,087 |
| 2000-2010 | 7,178 |
| 2010-2019 | 4,640 |
| 2020-2029 | 1,476 |
Famous people named Maurice
- Maurice Sendak: Author, Illustrator
- Maurice White: Musician, Songwriter
- Maurice Chevalier: Actor, Singer
Nicknames
Mo, Reese, Maury
Fun facts
- The name gained immense popularity in medieval Europe through Saint Maurice, leader of the legendary Theban Legion.
- It was introduced to Britain by the Normans and evolved into several English and French variations.