What does Maurice mean?
From Latin 'Mauritius', a derivative of 'Maurus' meaning 'Moor' or 'dark-skinned, swarthy'. Borne by Saint Maurice, a 3rd-century martyr.
What does Felix mean?
The Latin word felix, “happy” or “lucky.”
Maurice vs Felix
Which is more popular?
Felix is more popular than Maurice today: about 2,064 US babies were given the name Felix in 2025, compared with 0 named Maurice.
| Maurice | Felix | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | dark-skinned, Moorish | Happy, fortunate |
| Origin | latin | Latin |
| Gender | Boy | Boy |
| Pronunciation | MOR-iss | FEE-liks |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 0 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1921 (1,743) | 2024 (2,090) |
| In 2025 | 0 | 2,064 |
| Trend | Vintage | Near its peak |
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Maurice
Felix
Source: US Social Security Administration.
Births by decade
| Decade | Maurice | Felix |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,476 | 11,654 |
| 2010s | 4,640 | 13,335 |
| 2000s | 7,178 | 7,580 |
| 1990s | 10,087 | 6,294 |
| 1980s | 15,575 | 5,306 |
| 1970s | 15,233 | 5,515 |
| 1960s | 14,643 | 5,749 |
| 1950s | 12,584 | 5,759 |
| 1940s | 10,477 | 4,315 |
| 1930s | 12,638 | 4,199 |
| 1920s | 16,161 | 6,000 |
| 1910s | 11,429 | 4,928 |
| 1900s | 1,980 | 1,108 |
| 1890s | 1,270 | 903 |
| 1880s | 961 | 863 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Maurice or Felix more popular?
Felix is more popular than Maurice today: about 2,064 US babies were given the name Felix in 2025, compared with 0 named Maurice.
What is the difference between Maurice and Felix?
Maurice means dark-skinned, Moorish (latin origin), while Felix means Happy, fortunate (Latin origin).
Which name is older, Maurice or Felix?
In US records, Maurice first appears in 0 and Felix in 1880, so Maurice has the longer recorded history.