Declining since 1985, #4,352 for girls today.
Popularity of Maureen since 1896
Babies named Maureen per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1957, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Maureen's real moment was 1948.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 12 |
| 1900s | 91 |
| 1910s | 703 |
| 1920s | 1,981 |
| 1930s | 11,460 |
| 1940s | 30,262 |
| 1950s | 42,813 |
| 1960s | 34,449 |
| 1970s | 10,658 |
| 1980s | 7,122 |
| 1990s | 3,018 |
| 2000s | 1,035 |
| 2010s | 478 |
| 2020s | 194 |
Meaning & origin
Máirín was a traditional Irish pet form of Máire, and anglicized as Maureen in the 19th century. Records show the first American Maureen born in 1896. The name surged in popularity in the 1940s, reaching its peak rank in 1948. Since 1985, its usage has steadily declined; by 2025, it ranked 4,352 with a 1-in-50,227 frequency. Although once common nationwide, Maureen's highest concentration remains in New York. For families seeking a classic Irish name with authentic roots, Maureen offers a direct link to Irish heritage without modern invention.
Maureen is the anglicized form of the Irish name Máirín, a diminutive of Máire, which is the Irish form of Mary. Mary ultimately derives from Hebrew Miryam, a name of debated meaning, often interpreted as 'bitter' or 'beloved.' In Christian tradition, Mary was also associated with the Latin phrase 'stella maris' (star of the sea). The diminutive suffix -ín adds endearment, giving the sense of 'little Mary' or 'dear Mary.' The name became popular in English-speaking countries, especially in the United States, during the early-to-mid 20th century.
Where Maureen is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Maureen” around the world
Where Maureen lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
15
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mo, Reenie, Moe
Sibling names for Maureen
Names that share Maureen's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Colleen, Sheila, Kathleen, Eileen, Bridget, Doreen, Jackie, Kari, Shauna, Carlene, Cathleen, Coleen, Deanne, Ilene, Janeen, Laureen, Noreen, Sharyn, Colene, Daneen, Deneen, Eilene, Francene, Ileen, Jeanene, Kareen, Kathlene, Kristeen, Cathlene, Collene, Doreene, Ileene, Jeaneen, Jeneane, Jeneen, Juleen, Katheleen, Kathleene, Kelleen, Kerianne, Kolleen, Roanne, Sheilia, Calleen, Cathaleen, Davene, Dorraine, Ileane, Julane, Kerryann, Koreen, Maurisa, Michaeleen, Tylene, Correen, Franceen, Caleen, Carrine, Cathlin, Colleene, Daleen, Dorreen, Floreen, Geneen, Jillane, Jilleen, Jolleen, Joreen, Judene, Tracyann
Brothers: Patrick, Michael, Kevin, Brian, Sean, Kenneth, Duaine, Kerrick, Duanne
Names like Maureen
Names whose popularity has moved with Maureen's over the last 50 years.
