Discover name insights instantly.

Uncover the origin, popularity, and more for any name.

Name Origin

Maurice is a masculine given name of Latin origin, meaning 'dark-skinned' or 'Moorish'. It derives from the Late Latin name Mauricius, which itself came from the Roman term for inhabitants of Mauretania, an ancient region in North Africa.

latinmasculinemoorishmauretania

Famous People

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

Composer

  • Composed iconic pieces like Boléro and Gaspard de la nuit
  • Influential figure in Impressionist music

Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972)

Actor, Singer

  • Internationally renowned entertainer
  • Known for his charming stage presence and songs like 'Thank Heaven For Little Girls'

Maurice Wilkins (1916-2004)

Biophysicist

  • Key contributor to the discovery of DNA's double helix structure
  • Shared the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962

Maurice Sendak (1928-2012)

Author, Illustrator

  • Created the beloved children's book 'Where the Wild Things Are'
  • Won numerous Caldecott Medals and other literary awards