The first name Maurice
A boy’s name from Latin meaning “moor”, “dark”, “swarthy”.
Pronounced /məˈɹis/ 2 syllables Male Also a surname
Meaning and origin
Latin origin
Maurice means “moor”, “dark”, “swarthy” in Latin.
From Middle English Maurice, from Late Latin Mauritius, derived from Maurus (“Moor; dark, swarthy”). Popularized by a 3rd-century Roman soldier martyr.
More names that mean black.
From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Popularity
Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025
In 2025, 7 boys were named Maurice, making it the 2,952nd most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2007, with 21 births (#1,125).
Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Maurice with other names.
Popularity in the United States
Babies named Maurice at birth, 1880–2025
In 2025, 220 boys born in the United States were named Maurice, the 1,020th most popular boys’ name that year. It was used most in 1921, when 1,743 were.
US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.
Maurice in other languages
Equivalent forms of the name, from Wiktionary
Spelled Maurice in French too.
Nicknames and spellings
Famous people named Maurice
408 on Wikidata, most written-about first
- Maurice MaeterlinckBelgian playwright and essayist (1862–1949)
- Maurice RavelFrench composer (1875–1937)
- Maurice AllaisFrench economist (1911–2010)
- Maurice ChevalierFrench singer, actor, and entertainer (1888–1972)
- Maurice JarreFrench composer and conductor (1924-2009)
- Maurice Merleau-PontyFrench phenomenological philosopher, 1908–1961
- Maurice BéjartFrench-born Swiss ballet dancer and choreographer (1927–2007)
- Maurice BarrèsFrench novelist (1862-1923)
- Maurice DruonFrench novelist, 1918–2009
- Maurice LeblancFrench writer, 1864–1941
- Maurice SendakAmerican illustrator and writer of children's books (1928-2012)
- Maurice DenisFrench painter (1870–1943)
More Latin boys’ names
Questions
- What does the name Maurice mean?
- Maurice means “moor”, “dark”, “swarthy” in Latin.
- What is the origin of the name Maurice?
- 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 the name Maurice?
- In 2025, 7 boys born in England and Wales were named Maurice, ranking 2,952nd. Its peak was 2007, with 21 births.
- What are nicknames for Maurice?
- Common nicknames for Maurice include Mossie, Moe, Maury, Tyrese.
- Is Maurice a boy's or a girl's name?
- Mostly a boy's name: 98% of the 138,943 US babies named Maurice since 1880 were boys.
- When was Maurice most popular?
- 1921 in the United States, when 1,743 babies were named Maurice, its highest rank at 101st.
- How do you pronounce Maurice?
- Maurice is /məˈɹis/, 2 syllables.
- Is Maurice also a surname?
- Yes. Maurice is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.