Maurice is a name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Maurus, which means "dark-skinned" or "moorish". It is believed to have been brought to Britain by the Romans and later popularized during the Middle Ages.
The name Maurice was traditionally given to boys in honor of Saint Maurice, an early Christian martyr who was a member of the Theban Legion. According to legend, Saint Maurice was executed for refusing to renounce his faith during the reign of Emperor Maximinus I. His bravery and devotion to Christianity made him a popular figure among the faithful, and his name became associated with strength and courage.
In France, Maurice has been a popular boys' name for centuries. It was particularly common in the 19th century, when it ranked as one of the top five names given to newborn boys. Today, Maurice continues to be a beloved name in French-speaking countries, although its popularity has waned somewhat in recent years.
In English-speaking countries, Maurice is less commonly used than in France, but it still appears occasionally among baby names. Some famous bearers of this name include Maurice Ravel, the French composer; Maurice Greene, the American track and field athlete; and Maurice Sendak, the American author and illustrator of children's books.
Overall, Maurice is a classic boys' name with a rich history that spans centuries and cultures. Its meaning, "dark-skinned" or "moorish," reflects its origins in ancient Rome, while its association with Saint Maurice highlights its religious significance throughout the Middle Ages. Today, Maurice remains a strong and distinctive name option for parents looking to honor their child's heritage or pay tribute to an important historical figure.
The given statistics track the number of babies named Maurice born annually in the United States from 1880 to 2023.
From 1880 to around 1907, the number of births with the name Maurice fluctuated between 88 and 245 per year. However, starting from 1908, there was a significant increase in popularity, reaching 241 births that year. This trend continued, with the highest peak occurring in 1918, when 1636 babies were named Maurice.
The name's popularity reached its zenith during the early to mid-20th century, with over 1500 births each year from 1947 to 1964. The number of births then started to decline steadily until around the late 1980s and early 1990s, when it leveled off between 800 and 1300 births per year.
Since the turn of the century, there has been a noticeable decrease in the popularity of the name Maurice. In the years from 2000 to 2023, the number of babies named Maurice ranged from a high of 795 in 2000 to a low of 223 in 2022, with an overall trend of decreasing popularity.
In total, between 1880 and 2023, there were 135,852 babies named Maurice born in the United States.