Moritz
A boy's name of German origin with 135 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
A surname from German.
Moritz is a boy's baby name of German origin, the German form of Maurice, which derives from the Latin Mauritius meaning 'dark-skinned' or 'from Mauritania.' It has been a well-used name in German-speaking countries for centuries.
Saint Maurice was a 3rd-century Roman soldier and martyr, giving the name deep Catholic roots in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Moritz has a distinguished, Central European character — clean and strong, with the kind of quiet gravitas that travels well internationally.
EtymologyShow more
Names travel. They cross oceans, change spelling, shift pronunciation, and accumulate new associations with each culture that adopts them. Moritz is rooted in the German tradition, but its presence in American naming since 1925 means it has been shaped by English phonetics, local customs, and the cultural context of the families who chose it.
Moritz’s rarity (135 recorded births) may indicate it is strongly tied to a specific cultural community or family tradition, rather than part of the broader American naming mainstream.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Moritz has 19+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1925.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 32 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 62 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 15 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 6 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 5 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 10 | — |
The Story of Moritz
A Gen Z name
Peaking in 2000, Moritz is a name that defines a generation. Boys named Moritz are most likely born between 1990 and 2010.
How rare is Moritz?
With fewer than 500 recorded births, Moritz is an exceptionally rare name — a one-of-a-kind choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1925, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2000s with 62 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Moritz by the numbers
- Would fill 3 school buses
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(19 years, 1925–2017)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 7 | #10426 |
| 2015 | 5 | #13414 |
| 2013 | 11 | #7385 |
| 2010 | 9 | #8576 |
| 2009 | 5 | #13841 |
| 2008 | 5 | #13952 |
| 2007 | 7 | #10530 |
| 2006 | 9 | #8514 |
| 2004 | 11 | #6835 |
| 2003 | 5 | #12140 |
| 2001 | 9 | #7319 |
| 2000 | 11 | #6189 |
| 1999 | 10 | #6355 |
| 1996 | 5 | #10038 |
| 1975 | 5 | #6024 |
| 1946 | 6 | #3410 |
| 1939 | 5 | #3816 |
| 1927 | 5 | #4608 |
| 1925 | 5 | #4685 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When was Moritz most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1925–2017