Maurice

Maurice meaning

Maurice is a Christian boy's name of Latin origin (via French).

Late Latin Mauritius, from Maurus 'inhabitant of Mauretania, Moor'

Also used to mean: dark-skinned, Moorish

Maurice comes through French from Late Latin Mauritius, formed from Maurus, an inhabitant of Mauretania in north-west Africa, a Moor. The Online Etymology Dictionary notes that the Greek source of the word may be a local name or related to mauros, "dark", which is why name lists translate it "dark-skinned". Its Christian fame comes from Saint Maurice, commander of the Theban Legion, who according to tradition was martyred with his soldiers in the Alps for refusing to abandon their faith. The island nation of Mauritius is named after a later Dutch prince Maurice. In India the name is found in Goan and Mangalorean families.

Source: Online Etymology Dictionary (etymonline.com), s.v. Maurice; Moor · entry Maurice · See the entry · checked 25 Oct 2026

References: Online Etymology Dictionary, Maurice · Online Etymology Dictionary, Moor

Famous namesakes

• Saint Maurice, leader of the Theban Legion

Spellings

Maurice · Morris · Mauricio

Related names

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