Morse Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Morse originates from the Old French name 'Maures,' which is derived from the Latin 'Maurus,' meaning dark-skinned or Moorish. Its evolution includes forms such as Maurus and Maures before becoming Morse in Middle English. The name is associated with traits of innovation and historical significance. It does not have biblical relevance but gained popularity through notable figures like Samuel Morse.
Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Across generations, 'Morse' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2412th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 3173rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3924th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 8999th out of 10718 names. Discover how the name 'Morse' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Morse"
Pronunciation
/mɔːrs/
Origin
Old French
Etymology
The surname Morse is derived from the Old French personal name 'Maures,' which itself comes from the Latin 'Maurus,' meaning 'dark-skinned' or 'moorish.' It was originally a nickname for someone from the Moorish territories or someone with dark features.
Meaning
dark-skinned; Moorish
Language Evolution
Maurus (Latin), Maures (Old French), Morse (Middle English)
Historical Usage
The name Morse gained popularity in England during the Middle Ages, particularly as a surname. It became more widely recognized in the 19th century due to notable individuals bearing the name.
Variants & Derivatives
Mors, Morss, Morsee
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, the name Morse is often associated with technological innovation due to Samuel Morse, the inventor of the Morse code. It carries a sense of historical significance and is recognized in various fields.
Famous People
Samuel Morse - American inventor and painter, Charles M. Morse - American businessman and politician, Morse code developer, Morse Peckham - American historian and educator
📊 Morse Name Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Morse Name Visualizations
✨ Morse Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 19 peak births in 1926
Geographic Spread
Popular across 0 US states, with strongest presence in various regions
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 4 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Morse"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Morse"
"Morse" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2412th of 7545 | 184 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 3173rd of 6773 | 105 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3924th of 7552 | 74 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8999th of 10718 | 11 |
Regional Popularity of "Morse" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Morse" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Morse"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Morse" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.