Morris is a name of Norman origin, derived from the Old French word "Mortimer," which was itself derived from the Old English words "maere" meaning "sea" and "thyr" meaning "army." Thus, Morris means "army by the sea."
The name Morris first gained prominence during the Middle Ages in England. It was borne by many notable figures throughout history, including Sir John de Morisco, who fought alongside William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
Over time, Morris has evolved and been adapted into various forms across different cultures. In Welsh, it is spelled "Morris" or "Mori," while in Scottish Gaelic, it becomes "Moireas." The name has also been popularized by famous individuals such as the American poet and essayist Henry David Thoreau, who was born Henri David Thoreau but went by his middle name Morris.
Today, Morris is still a widely recognized name around the world. It has been used in numerous languages and cultures throughout history, each with their own unique interpretations of its meaning and significance. Despite its varied usage, however, one thing remains constant: Morris is a timeless name with deep roots in history and a powerful meaning that continues to resonate with people today.
The name Morris has been given to babies born in the United States over a span of nearly a century, with fluctuations in popularity throughout different decades.
In the early 20th century, the name Morris saw its highest peaks in popularity during the 1910s and 1920s. The most births recorded for this name in any given year was 11, which occurred in 1922. This trend continued into the 1930s, with steady birth numbers ranging from 5 to 6 each year until the middle of the decade.
After a significant drop-off in popularity during the mid-century mark, Morris began to see an uptick in births again starting in the late 1980s. From 1984 onwards, there were at least five babies named Morris born every year except for 1985 and 1987.
The 1990s marked another period of moderate popularity for the name Morris, with birth numbers fluctuating between five and ten each year. The highest number of births recorded during this time was in 1991, with ten babies sharing the name Morris.
More recently, Morris has seen a resurgence in popularity since around 2004. Between that year and 2015, there were consistently six or more births per year, indicating a renewed interest in this classic moniker.
Overall, over the course of nearly a century (from 1915 to 2023), there have been a total of 262 babies named Morris born in the United States. While Morris may not be one of the most popular names today, its enduring popularity throughout different eras demonstrates that it remains a beloved choice among parents seeking a timeless and distinctive name for their child.