The nameMaurice
Maurice is a Roman name borne by a soldier saint. It was a top 100 American name in the 1910s.
- Boy's name
- Latin
- Feast day
Meaning
Maurice comes from the Latin Mauritius, "Moorish, dark-skinned".
Origin
Latin, through French.
History
Saint Maurice, leader of the Theban Legion, is the patron of soldiers. In the United States Maurice reached 94th in 1914.
Did you know?
- Mauritius is named after Prince Maurice of Nassau, honoured by the Dutch in 1598.
- Maurice Ravel composed Boléro in 1928.
- Maurice Sendak published Where the Wild Things Are in 1963.
Famous people named Maurice
- Maurice Ravel, composer
- Maurice Sendak, illustrator
- Maurice Gibb, singer
Popularity of the name Maurice
Maurice in the United States
Maurice was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 16,754 births over the decade, 12% of all recorded babies named Maurice. Its rise began around 1900, and it peaked in 1921. Half of all babies named Maurice in the United States were born before 1959, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 251 births a year on average, against 389 in the five years before.
Maurice in Ireland
Maurice was most popular in Ireland in the 1970s, with 990 births over the decade, 37% of all recorded babies named Maurice. Half of all babies named Maurice in Ireland were born before 1975, so it is mostly a parents' generation name.
Maurice in France
Maurice in Belgium
Maurice in Switzerland
Maurice in Austria
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Maurice
Names from the same generation as Maurice, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Maurice? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Maurice with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Maurice side by side with the name of your choice.
Maurice in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maurice mean?
Maurice comes from the Latin Mauritius, "Moorish, dark-skinned".
What is the origin of the name Maurice?
Latin, through French.
Is Maurice a girl's or a boy's name?
Maurice is a boy's name.
How popular is the name Maurice?
In 2024, Maurice was the 928th most popular name for baby boys in the United States, with 248 births.
What are the variants of the name Maurice?
Variants and related names of Maurice include Mauricette.
What are good sibling names for Maurice?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Natasha, Julie, Emilie and Tatiana for a sister, Tony, René, Jermaine and Quentin for a brother.
Who are famous people named Maurice?
Maurice Ravel, composer; Maurice Sendak, illustrator; Maurice Gibb, singer.