Maurice
Maurice: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /məˈɹis/ · /mɔˈɹis/
Meaning and origin of Maurice
Root meaning: “Moor; dark, swarthy”
- A male given name from Latin, equivalent to English Morris.
Etymology
From Middle English Maurice, from Late Latin Mauritius, derived from Maurus (“Moor; dark, swarthy”). Popularized by a 3rd-century Roman soldier martyr.
How popular is Maurice?
Since 1880, 2,611 girls and 136,332 boys in the U.S. have been named Maurice (2% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #837 in 1915. Its highest rank for boys was #94 in 1914. In 2025, 220 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Names similar to Maurice
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Latin boy names
Sibling name ideas for Maurice
Sister and brother names that share Maurice's Latin roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Maurice FAQ
What does the name Maurice mean?
Maurice traces back to a root meaning "Moor; dark, swarthy". A male given name from Latin, equivalent to English Morris. From Middle English Maurice, from Late Latin Mauritius, derived from Maurus (“Moor; dark, swarthy”). Popularized by a 3rd-century Roman soldier martyr.
What is the origin of the name Maurice?
Maurice is listed as a name of Latin origin.
How popular is the name Maurice?
Since 1880, 2,611 girls and 136,332 boys in the U.S. have been named Maurice (2% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #837 in 1915. Its highest rank for boys was #94 in 1914. In 2025, 220 babies were given the name, outside the top 1,000.
Is Maurice a boy or girl name?
Maurice is mostly a boy name in the U.S.: 2,611 girls and 136,332 boys since 1880.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.