"courteous, well-bred, polite"
Origin: Old French
Language: English
Kurtis
Pronunciation: [ k-ERT-ihs ]
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A courtly classic with old-school cool
English
American
Scottish
Classic
Strong
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Traditional
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Meaning & Origin
"from the court"
Origin: Norman French
Language: English
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The Story of Kurtis
Kurtis is an alternate spelling of Curtis, derived from the Old French word "curteis" meaning "courteous" or "well-bred." The Old French word itself came from "cort" meaning court, so the name originally denoted someone with the refined manners expected at a royal court. The spelling Kurtis adds a Germanic-influenced twist that was popularized in the late 20th century.
Kurtis/Curtis was popular in the mid-20th century United States, peaking in the 1960s and 1970s. The variant spelling Kurtis emerged as parents sought a slightly fresher look for a traditional name. It remains recognizable but has declined as 1980s-era names have fallen out of fashion.
The name Curtis has deep roots in American culture, particularly in African American communities where it was very popular in the 1960s-1980s. The Kurtis spelling was especially associated with hip-hop culture through pioneering rapper Kurtis Blow.
Historical Record
Kurtis first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 17,869 babies have been named Kurtis in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Kurtis is past its peak , currently ranked #3,844 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Kurtis Blow was the first rapper to be signed to a major record label in 1979
- The name Curtis means "courteous" — making it one of the few names that is literally a compliment
Kurtis in Other Languages
French
Curtois
German
Kurtis
Spanish
Cortés
Popularity Over Time
#3,844
Current Rank
Peaked 1987
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Kurtis
C
Curtis Jackson (50 Cent)
Musician
1975
Grammy-winning rapper and businessman
K
Kurtis Blow
Musician
1959
Pioneer hip-hop artist, first rapper signed to a major record label, known for "The Breaks"
K
Kurtis Stryker Fictional
Other
Fighter character from the Mortal Kombat video game series
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,844
- Total SSA Count
- 29
- Cultural Origins
- English American Scottish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Kurt
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Kurtis
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Kurtis is also used as a girl name, ranked #35223.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Kurtis
What does the name Kurtis mean?
"courteous, well-bred, polite" (from Old French). "from the court" (from Norman French). Kurtis is an alternate spelling of Curtis, derived from the Old French word "curteis" meaning "courteous" or "well-bred." The Old French word itself came from "cort" meaning court, so the name originally denoted someone with the refined manners expected at a royal court. The spelling Kurtis adds a Germanic-influenced twist that was popularized in the late 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Kurtis?
Kurtis has Old French, Norman French, English, American, and Scottish origins. In Old French, it means "courteous, well-bred, polite". In Norman French, it means "from the court".
Is Kurtis a boy or girl name?
Kurtis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #3844. As a girl name, it is ranked #35223. Kurtis is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Kurtis?
Kurtis is pronounced k-ERT-ihs.
How popular is the name Kurtis?
Kurtis is currently ranked #3844 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Kurtis?
Common nicknames for Kurtis include Kurt.
What are good middle names for Kurtis?
Popular middle name pairings include Kurtis James, Kurtis Lee, Kurtis Allen, Kurtis Wayne, and Kurtis Ray.
What are good sibling names for Kurtis?
Names that pair well with Kurtis as siblings include Travis, Brandon, Justin, Ashley, Brittany, and Crystal.
How many syllables does Kurtis have?
Kurtis has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Kurtis a common or rare name?
Kurtis is an uncommon name, ranked #3844 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What boy names are similar to Kurtis?
Are there other spellings for Kurtis?
Related spellings include Kurt.
About the Name Kurtis
Kurtis is a boy name with English, American, and Scottish origins . The name means "courteous, well-bred, polite" in Old French .
Is Kurtis a boy or girl name? Kurtis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #3,844 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #35,223. Kurtis is more commonly used as a boy name.
Kurtis is currently ranked #3,844 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Kurtis has 2 syllables and is pronounced k-ERT-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Kurtis include Kurt. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Kurtis include Kurt . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis