boys' name · peaked 1921

Maurice

From Middle English Maurice, from Late Latin Mauritius, derived from Maurus (“Moor; dark, swarthy”).

Every Maurice since 1880 — 138,943 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex — comparable across eras
0.631.251.882.518801900192019401960198020002020BoysGirls
BoysGirls
Rank 2025
#1,020
among boys
Babies in 2025
220
named Maurice
Peak year
1921
1,797 babies
All-time total
138,943
since 1880

The story of Maurice

Maurice is uncommon for boys in the United States, ranked #1,020 in 2025 with 220 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.

Since 1880, 138,943 American babies have been named Maurice. Its peak came in 1921, when 1,797 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Maurice stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

Maurice year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 220 #1,020
2024 248 #932
2023 226 #973
2022 224 #996
2021 287 #830
2020 271 #844
2019 329 #732
2018 377 #670
2017 396 #651
2016 406 #651
2015 435 #617
2014 482 #580
2013 505 #526
2012 531 #502
2011 579 #464
2010 600 #448
2009 638 #439
2008 733 #402
2007 707 #415
2006 761 #394
2005 661 #411
2004 712 #384
2003 757 #358
2002 697 #377
2001 717 #372
2000 795 #345
1995 5 #14,903 888 #300
1990 13 #6,722 1,488 #206
1985 25 #3,477 1,559 #173
1980 26 #3,280 1,556 #162
1975 18 #3,715 1,384 #169
1970 29 #2,557 1,740 #165
1965 21 #2,725 1,417 #181
1960 24 #2,487 1,321 #212
1955 16 #2,914 1,221 #206
1950 22 #2,100 1,197 #185
1945 20 #1,924 913 #177
1940 34 #1,286 1,030 #161
1935 28 #1,407 1,234 #130
1930 48 #1,069 1,550 #116
1925 59 #973 1,586 #111
1920 62 #928 1,708 #102
1915 61 #837 1,440 #101
1910 5 #2,657 283 #110
1905 12 #1,142 202 #106
1900 193 #119
1895 136 #123
1890 102 #140
1885 96 #143
1880 93 #146

Famous people named Maurice

  1. Maurice Ravel Composer · 1875–1937
  2. Maurice Maeterlinck Writer · 1862–1949
  3. Maurice Merleau-Ponty Philosopher · 1908–1961
  4. Maurice, Prince of Orange Politician · 1567–1625
  5. Maurice Politician · 539–602

Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Maurice mean?

From Middle English Maurice, from Late Latin Mauritius, derived from Maurus (“Moor; dark, swarthy”).

How popular is the name Maurice in 2025?

Maurice ranked #1,020 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 220 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.

How many people are named Maurice?

138,943 babies have been named Maurice in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Maurice most popular?

Maurice peaked in 1921, when 1,797 newborns received the name.

Is Maurice a boy or girl name?

Maurice is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 98% of babies with the name.

Is the name Maurice rising or falling?

Maurice is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Maurice?

Well-known people named Maurice include Maurice Ravel (composer), Maurice Maeterlinck (writer), Maurice Merleau-Ponty (philosopher).

Names like Maurice

Compare Maurice with similar names →