Curtis is a name of English origin that has gained popularity in recent years. It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word 'curtr' which means 'court'. The name Curtis was originally used as a surname for people who worked at court or were related to those who did.
The name Curtis first appeared in England during the Middle Ages and was typically passed down through families as a hereditary surname. Over time, it began to be used as a given name as well. Today, Curtis is considered a masculine given name and has been quite popular in English-speaking countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom.
Some notable figures with the name Curtis include American actor Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, known for his successful music career and acting roles, and Australian cricketer Curtis Brown, who played for several teams throughout his career. These individuals have helped to further popularize the name Curtis in recent years.
The name Curtis experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the past century and a half, with its highest point being in 1952 when there were 4175 births. This was roughly three times more than the lowest point recorded, which occurred recently in 2022 with only 255 births. The name's peak popularity coincides with the post-World War II baby boom era. Since then, its usage has been on a steady decline, suggesting that Curtis might now be considered less common or even somewhat outdated as a baby boy's name.