Morris
Morris is a boy's name of Latin origin.
Meaning
Dark-skinned or derived from the name Maurice (Moorish).
Origin and history
Morris is traditionally a given name derived from the Medieval name Mauritius, meaning dark-skinned or Moorish. Historically popular in the early-to-mid 20th century in the United States, it served as both a given name and a surname. Today, it is less common for newborns but retains a classic, vintage quality.
Popularity in the United States
71,000 babies in the United States have been named Morris since 1880. It ranks #400 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1382.
States where it is most popular
- NY (14.9 %)
- TX (8.4 %)
- PA (5.3 %)
- GA (5 %)
- LA (4.7 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 895 |
| 1890-1900 | 1,234 |
| 1900-1910 | 2,059 |
| 1910-1920 | 12,484 |
| 1920-1930 | 14,141 |
| 1930-1940 | 9,113 |
| 1940-1950 | 8,805 |
| 1950-1960 | 8,323 |
| 1960-1970 | 5,355 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,792 |
| 1980-1990 | 1,956 |
| 1990-2000 | 1,287 |
| 2000-2010 | 996 |
| 2010-2019 | 1,000 |
| 2020-2029 | 560 |
Famous people named Morris
- Morris Chestnut: Actor
- Morris Day: Musician, Singer
- Morris Morris: Politician
Nicknames
Mo, Morrie, Morry
Fun facts
- The name stems from the Latin name Mauritius, famous due to Saint Maurice, patron saint of soldiers.
- Morris was a mainstay in the top 100 U.S. male names during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.