"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
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Meaning & Origin
"from Mauritania"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
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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.
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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
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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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Classic pairing, 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
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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, French heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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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
Sounds Like Maurice
Phonetic neighbors that share Maurice's rhythm, vowel shape, or consonant cluster. Tap any name to see its full "names like" list.
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Maurice is also used as a boy name, ranked #932.
View Maurice as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (French)
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Brookie
Girl
Germanic origin
"small waterway"
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Elmo
Girl
Germanic origin
"helmet, protection"
#70,510 in US
Dicey
Girl
Latin origin
"pure white, brilliant"
#70,829 in US
Peachie
Girl
English origin
"Sweet and lovely as a peach; endearin..."
#70,654 in US
Melvin
Girl
Celtic/Scottish origin
"from the Scottish place called Melvin"
#70,729 in US
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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?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
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.
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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