"little Mary"
Origin: Irish Gaelic
Language: Irish
Maureen
Pronunciation: [ m-awr-EEN ]
Does Maureen flow with your last name?
A little piece of Ireland — warmth and grace in two syllables
Irish
Scottish
English
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Meaning & Origin
"star of the sea"
Origin: Hebrew via Latin
Language: English
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The Story of Maureen
Maureen is the Anglicized form of the Irish 'Máirín,' a diminutive of 'Máire' (Mary), which derives from the Hebrew Miriam. The name carries the meaning of Mary ('star of the sea' or 'beloved') with an added Irish endearment. It was among the most popular Irish girl names of the early 20th century.
Maureen peaked in US popularity in the 1940s-1960s, riding the wave of Irish-American cultural pride. The glamorous Irish-American actress Maureen O'Hara (Miracle on 34th Street, The Quiet Man) helped cement the name in American consciousness. It has since declined but retains nostalgic charm.
Maureen is deeply associated with mid-20th century Irish-American identity. It represents the generation of proud Irish-Catholic families who gave their daughters traditional Gaelic-derived names. In Ireland itself, it remains a classic choice with genuine cultural roots.
Historical Record
Maureen first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 99,736 babies have been named Maureen in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Maureen is past its peak , currently ranked #4,928 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Maureen O'Hara (1920-2015) was dubbed 'The Queen of Technicolor' by Hollywood
- Maureen is one of several Irish '-een' diminutives (like Colleen, Aileen, Noreen) meaning 'little' in Gaelic
Maureen in Other Languages
Irish
Máirín
French
Maurine
Spanish
Maurina
Scottish Gaelic
Mórag
Popularity Over Time
#4,928
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Maureen
M
M
Maureen O'Hara
Actor
1920
Irish-American actress and Hollywood star known for Miracle on 34th Street and The Quiet Man
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Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #4,928
- Total SSA Count
- 27
- Cultural Origins
- Irish Scottish English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mo
Reenie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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, 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, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Maureen
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Maureen is also used as a boy name, ranked #9634.
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Anglo-Saxon origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Maureen
What does the name Maureen mean?
"little Mary" (from Irish Gaelic). "star of the sea" (from Hebrew via Latin). Maureen is the Anglicized form of the Irish 'Máirín,' a diminutive of 'Máire' (Mary), which derives from the Hebrew Miriam. The name carries the meaning of Mary ('star of the sea' or 'beloved') with an added Irish endearment. It was among the most popular Irish girl names of the early 20th century.
What is the origin of the name Maureen?
Maureen has Irish Gaelic, Hebrew via Latin, Irish, Scottish, and English origins. In Irish Gaelic, it means "little Mary". In Hebrew via Latin, it means "star of the sea".
Is Maureen a boy or girl name?
Maureen is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #4928. As a boy name, it is ranked #9634. Maureen is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Maureen?
Maureen is pronounced m-awr-EEN.
How popular is the name Maureen?
Maureen is currently ranked #4928 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Maureen?
Common nicknames for Maureen include Reenie.
What are good middle names for Maureen?
Popular middle name pairings include Maureen Rose, Maureen Anne, Maureen Frances, Maureen Patricia, Maureen Brigid, and Maureen Catherine.
What are good sibling names for Maureen?
Names that pair well with Maureen as siblings include Colleen, Siobhan, Brendan, Declan, Aoife, and Sheila.
How many syllables does Maureen have?
Maureen has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Maureen a common or rare name?
Maureen is an uncommon name, ranked #4928 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Maureen?
Are there other spellings for Maureen?
Related spellings include Maura.
About the Name Maureen
Maureen is a girl name with Irish, Scottish, and English origins . The name means "little Mary" in Irish Gaelic .
Is Maureen a boy or girl name? Maureen is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #4,928 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #9,634. Maureen is more commonly used as a girl name.
Maureen is currently ranked #4,928 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Maureen has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-awr-EEN, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Maureen include Mo and Reenie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Maureen include Maura . 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