Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Morris
BoyEnglish, French· “form of Maurice, 'a Moor'”
- Meaning
- form of Maurice, 'a Moor'
- Origin
- English, French
- Pronunciation
- MAWR-ihs
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,762
- US babies 2025
- 92
- Best rank
- #82 (1912)
- Peak year
- 1918
Meaning and origin of Morris
Morris is an English and French name that means “form of Maurice, 'a Moor'”.
In England, Maurice took the form Morris; the source is the Latin Mauritius, meaning Moorish or dark-skinned. The name spread across Europe through Saint Maurice, a Roman soldier honored as a Christian martyr, and it was brought to England by the Normans. Morris became both a given name and a surname. Notable bearers include the designer William Morris of the Arts and Crafts movement, although his name was a surname. Morris dancing, a traditional English folk dance, shares the name. It has a vintage, comfortable feel, and Mo or Morrie are friendly nicknames.
Popularity over time
Morris has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 115 different years. Its best national rank was #82 in 1912, and the most babies received it in 1918, when 1,679 were named Morris. In 2025, 92 babies were named Morris, and it ranked #1,762 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #108 in 1920, #211 in 1950, #624 in 1980, #1,270 in 2000, #1,607 in 2010, and #1,762 in 2025. Of the 71,000 US boys named Morris since records began, 20% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1910s come next, with 12,484 babies. Since 2010, 1,560 more have been named Morris.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Wilbur, Irving, Julius, Wilson, and Ben.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Morris ranked highest in New York, South Carolina, and New Jersey.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New York | #739 | 20 |
| South Carolina | #833 | 5 |
| New Jersey | #1136 | 5 |
| California | #2685 | 5 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Morris is usually pronounced MAWR-ihs, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-is”.
Middle names for Morris
A few middle names that flow with Morris: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Morris
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Lists that include Morris
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Morris mean?
Morris is an English and French name that means “form of Maurice, 'a Moor'”.
What is the origin of the name Morris?
Morris has English, French, and Latin roots. In England, Maurice took the form Morris; the source is the Latin Mauritius, meaning Moorish or dark-skinned.
Is Morris a popular name?
Not especially. Morris ranked #1,762 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Morris a boy or girl name?
Morris is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Morris?
Morris is usually pronounced MAWR-ihs. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings