Maurica is a name of Latin origin, derived from the male given name Maurice, which means "dark-skinned" or "moorish." The name Maurice has been popular throughout history and has been borne by several notable figures, including Saint Maurice, a Christian martyr who was executed in the 3rd century AD. Despite its masculine roots, Maurica is now considered to be a female given name.
The use of Maurica as a female name may have originated in France, where it has been recorded as early as the 19th century. However, it remains relatively uncommon compared to other female names. Today, Maurica can still be found among the French population and is occasionally used elsewhere around the world, but it is not widely popular.
One interesting aspect of the name Maurica is that it has been used by a number of notable women throughout history, despite its rarity as a female given name. For example, Maurica Karplus was a French painter who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, while Maurica Gulbenkian was a Portuguese philanthropist and art collector born in the early 20th century.
Overall, Maurica is an unusual but intriguing female given name with Latin roots and a history of notable bearers. While it may not be as widely known or used as many other female names, those who bear the name Maurica can take pride in its unique origins and history.
Here are some interesting statistics about the name Maurica based on birth records in the United States:
Over a span of nearly six decades (from 1949 to 2002), there were a total of 393 babies named Maurica born in the U.S. The years with the highest number of Mauricas being born were:
* 1960: 14 births
* 1987: 15 births
* 1992: 18 births
These peak years suggest that there might have been specific trends or influences causing parents to favor the name Maurica during these times.
The years with the lowest number of Mauricas being born were:
* 1949, 1958, and 1966: 5 births each
* 1993, 1997, and 2000: 6 births each
These lower numbers indicate that the name Maurica was less popular during these periods.
It's fascinating to observe how the popularity of the name Maurica has varied over time. While it experienced some peaks in the mid-20th century and again in the late 1980s and early 1990s, it also had periods of relative obscurity, as seen in the years with fewer than 7 births each.
These statistics provide a snapshot of the name Maurica's journey through time, showcasing its fluctuating popularity among parents in the United States over several decades.