"dark-skinned, Moorish"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Maurice
Pronunciation: [ m-awr-EES ]
Does Maurice flow with your last name?
A French classic with North African roots
French
English
African-American
Belgian
French
Artistic
Gender Neutral
Sophisticated
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Maurice
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Maurice
3 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"from Mauritania"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Maurice
See all →What the Maurice report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Maurice the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Maurice
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Maurice head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Maurice actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Maurice
Maurice derives from the Latin Mauritius, meaning of or from Mauritania, referring to the Roman province in North Africa. The root Maurus described someone with dark skin or Moorish heritage. The name entered French as Maurice and spread throughout Europe via Christianity, notably through Saint Maurice, a 3rd-century martyr. As a girls name, Maurice follows the French tradition where it can be used for either gender.
Maurice has been a steady choice in French-speaking countries and among African-American families who have long embraced it, partly due to its connection to African heritage through its Mauritanian roots. As a girls name, it represents a growing trend of French names crossing gender lines.
Saint Maurice, patron saint of soldiers, is venerated across Europe, and his name has been borne by royalty and artists alike. In African-American culture, Maurice has carried both a connection to African roots and a symbol of dignity and sophistication.
Historical Record
Maurice first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 956 babies have been named Maurice in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Maurice is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #70,698 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Maurice Ravel composed Bolero, one of the most recognizable pieces in classical music
- The island nation of Mauritius shares its name etymology with Maurice
Maurice in Other Languages
French
Maurice
German
Moritz
Italian
Maurizio
Spanish
Mauricio
Portuguese
Mauricio
Popularity Over Time
#70,698
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #70,698
- Total SSA Count
- 5
- Cultural Origins
- French English African-American Belgian
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mo
Mauri
Reese
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
Middle Names
Middle Names for Maurice
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Maurice fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Maurice is also used as a boy name, ranked #932.
View Maurice as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Maurice →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Maurice with...
Same Origin Names (French)
See all French names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Maurice
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Maurice and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Maurice sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Melvin
Girl
Old English (mael + wine) origin
"council friend, gentle friend"
#70,729 in US
Elmo
Girl
Italian origin
"short form of Erasmo/Anselmo"
#70,510 in US
Dicey
Girl
English origin
"gift of God"
#70,829 in US
Peachie
Girl
English origin
"Sweet and lovely as a peach; endearin..."
#70,654 in US
Brookie
Girl
Germanic origin
"small waterway"
#70,867 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Maurice's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maurice
What does the name Maurice mean?
"dark-skinned, Moorish" (from Latin). "from Mauritania" (from Latin). Maurice derives from the Latin Mauritius, meaning of or from Mauritania, referring to the Roman province in North Africa. The root Maurus described someone with dark skin or Moorish heritage. The name entered French as Maurice and spread throughout Europe via Christianity, notably through Saint Maurice, a 3rd-century martyr. As a girls name, Maurice follows the French tradition where it can be used for either gender.
What is the origin of the name Maurice?
Maurice has Latin, French, English, African-American, and Belgian origins. In Latin, it means "dark-skinned, Moorish". In Latin, it means "from Mauritania".
Is Maurice a boy or girl name?
Maurice is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #70698. As a boy name, it is ranked #932. Maurice is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Maurice?
Maurice is pronounced m-awr-EES.
How popular is the name Maurice?
Maurice is currently ranked #70698 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Maurice?
Common nicknames for Maurice include Mauri and Reese.
What are good middle names for Maurice?
Popular middle name pairings include Maurice Anne, Maurice Claire, Maurice Belle, Maurice Rose, and Maurice Elaine.
What are good sibling names for Maurice?
Names that pair well with Maurice as siblings include Claude, Simone, Felix, and Celeste.
How many syllables does Maurice have?
Maurice has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Maurice a common or rare name?
Maurice is an uncommon name, ranked #70698 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Maurice?
About the Name Maurice
Maurice is a girl name with French, English, African-American, and Belgian origins . The name means "dark-skinned, Moorish" in Latin .
Is Maurice a boy or girl name? Maurice is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #70,698 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #932. Maurice is more commonly used as a boy name.
Maurice is currently ranked #70,698 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Maurice has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-awr-EES, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Maurice include Mo, Mauri, and Reese. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Maurice include Maura, Maureen . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Latin Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More girl names like Maurice
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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