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Maurice

♂ Boy

Pronounced mor-EES /mɒˈriːs/High

Meaning: Dark-skinned; from Latin Mauritius (Moorish, of Mauritania), from Mauri (the North African people, Moors)High

In 30 seconds: A Latin name meaning 'dark-skinned' or 'Moorish,' from the Roman province of Mauritania (North Africa). Saint Maurice was an Egyptian Christian soldier martyred in 286 CE, making this a name of early Christian martyrdom.

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Origin HighLatin, French

MeaningDark-skinned; from Latin Mauritius (Moorish, of Mauritania), from Mauri (the North African people, Moors)

U.S. rank (2024)#930 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births248 boys (0.01% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1921

Total births (all-time)≈ 136,109

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Maurice derives from Latin Mauritius, referring to the Mauri — the North African peoples associated with Mauritania. Saint Maurice (d. c.286 CE), commander of the Theban Legion, was martyred for his faith and became a beloved medieval saint.

Maurice was popular in the U.S. in the early-to-mid 20th century and has declined. It ranked #930 for boys in 2024.

Did you know? Saint Maurice and the Theban Legion were a group of Christian soldiers from the Thebaid region of Egypt, martyred in Switzerland around 286 CE for refusing to participate in persecution of Christians — Maurice's cult became one of the most widespread in medieval Europe.

Overall data confidence 92%

Behind the Name — Maurice — Latin etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MorrisMauricio

Nicknames

MoMaury

Famous Bearers

★Maurice Gibb (1949–2003)
British musician, member of the Bee Gees, co-writer and performer of Saturday Night Fever and other disco-era classics.

If you like Maurice…

Morris— the English short form of Maurice with the same heritage

Morgan— Celtic masculine name in the same mid-century classic register

Marcus— Latin masculine name with the same dignified classical feel

Marvin— Germanic masculine name from the same mid-century popular era

Melvin— Celtic/Germanic masculine name from the same generation

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Maurice mean?

Maurice means 'dark-skinned' or 'Moorish,' from Latin Mauritius, referring to the North African Mauri peoples.

How do you pronounce Maurice?

It's said mor-EES — two syllables, stress on the second.

Is Maurice a boy or girl name?

Maurice is used as a boys' name.

How popular is Maurice?

Maurice ranked #930 for U.S. boys in 2024.