Is Maureen a boy's or girl's name?

Maureen is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 328 recorded births.

When was Maureen most popular?

Maureen reached its peak popularity in 1957 with 4,595 births that year. It is currently ranked #4969 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Maureen?

Maureen is currently ranked #4969 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 144,245 babies since 1896.

Maureen

An uncommon Irish pick — distinctive and rare.

Girl's name| Also boysIrishDeclining Also a pet name

#4969▼ 872in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A female given name from Irish.

Maureen is a girl's and boy's baby name of Irish origin, an Anglicization of the Irish Máirín, a diminutive of Mary, which traces back to the Hebrew Miryam meaning 'beloved.' The Irish diminutive suffix gives Mary a distinctly Gaelic warmth.

Actress Maureen O'Hara, the flame-haired Irish-American star of classic Hollywood, is perhaps the most iconic bearer — fierce, beautiful, and unmistakably proud of her heritage. Maureen peaked in the U.S. during the 1940s and 1950s. It carries the same vintage Irish charm as Eileen and Kathleen.

Compare Maureen with another name

Popularity Over Time

Maureen was #1817 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #4969, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Maureen
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	162	#4436	▼
2010s	478	#3402	▼
2000s	1,035	#2016	▼
1990s	3,018	#771	▼
1980s	7,123	#347	▼
1970s	10,659	#255	▼
1960s	34,448	#120	▼
1950s	42,813	#99	▲
1940s	30,262	#105	▲
1930s	11,460	#181	▲
1920s	1,981	#522	▲
1910s	703	#779	▲
1900s	91	#1406	▲
1890s	12	#1623	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(126 years, 1896–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Maureen
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	27	#4969	-9 (-25.0%)
2023	36	#4097	-6 (-14.3%)
2022	42	#3688	+15 (55.6%)
2021	27	#4914	-3 (-10.0%)
2020	30	#4510	-19 (-38.8%)
2019	49	#3255	+8 (19.5%)
2018	41	#3718	-4 (-8.9%)
2017	45	#3466	+4 (9.8%)
2016	41	#3754	-2 (-4.7%)
2015	43	#3638	-12 (-21.8%)
2014	55	#3068	+12 (27.9%)
2013	43	#3616	-12 (-21.8%)
2012	55	#3073	-7 (-11.3%)
2011	62	#2826	+18 (40.9%)
2010	44	#3606	-17 (-27.9%)
2009	61	#2877	-6 (-9.0%)
2008	67	#2742	+9 (15.5%)
2007	58	#3037	-54 (-48.2%)
2006	112	#1830	+24 (27.3%)
2005	88	#2114	-17 (-16.2%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Maureen as a Boy's Name

While overwhelmingly a girl's name, Maureen has also been given to 328 boys in the U.S. since 1933.

Unranked

Current rank

328

Total births

1963

Peak year

Compare Maureen as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked

Can Maureen be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Maureen is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #4969. As a boy's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Maureen has two lives

Maureen, the baby name

#4969girls

144,245 babies

Currently viewing

Maureen, the pet name

#13333pet name

4 pets

View pet page →

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1896–2024) · Methodology