Curtis - Name Meaning, Origin and History


Name:
Curtis
Pronunciation:
/ˈkɜːrtɪs/
Gender:
Male
Origin:
Latin
Religion:
Meaning:
Courteous, polite
Variations:
Curt;Curty;Curtiss;Kurt;Kurty;Kurtis;Kurtiss
The name Curtis is derived from the Old French "curteis," meaning courteous or polite, which itself comes from the Latin "cohors," meaning court or retinue. Historically, the name was used to denote someone who worked in a royal or noble court. While Curtis does not have specific religious or mythological associations, it has been borne by various notable figures across different fields. For instance, Curtis Mayfield was a renowned American singer-songwriter, and Curtis LeMay was a significant military figure. The name is predominantly used for males, though it has been occasionally used for females. Variants like Curt, Kurt, and Kurtis are common, reflecting slight regional and linguistic differences. In terms of popularity, Curtis saw a peak in the United States during the mid-20th century but has since declined. It remains more popular in English-speaking countries. Sibling names might include traditional names like Michael or Elizabeth. Individuals named Curtis are often described as courteous, reflective of the name's meaning, and may be drawn to professions that require diplomacy and interpersonal skills.

Popularity of The Name Curtis

Curtis was most popular in the United States during the 1960s and 1970s, ranking in the top 100 names. It has since declined in usage but remains more common in English-speaking countries like the UK and Australia.

Famous People Named Curtis

Curtis Mayfield
American singer-songwriter and civil rights activist
Curtis LeMay
American Air Force general and vice presidential candidate
Curtis Stone
Australian celebrity chef and TV personality
Curtis Granderson
American professional baseball player

Interesting Facts About the Name Curtis

Most common surname :
Smith, Johnson, Williams
Most common spouse name :
Jennifer, Elizabeth, Sarah
Most common child name :
Michael, Emily, Joshua
Peak birth year :
1963 in the United States
Characteristics :
Courteous, diplomatic, reflective
Professional orientation :
Often drawn to careers in diplomacy, customer service, and the arts
Historical significance :
Used to denote courtly individuals in medieval times
Pop culture significance :
Featured in various films and TV shows, often as a character name
Linguistic origin :
Derived from the Latin "cohors," meaning court or retinue

Explore Your Genealogy

Other names starting with C

Explore other names starting with C to help you discover related genealogy records.

Explore other names starting with C to help you discover related genealogy records.

Explore first names - their meanings, origins, and interesting facts

Continue to explore other first names and their meanings, origins, and interesting facts

Continue to explore other first names and their meanings, origins, and interesting facts

Other family names that are common with Curtis

Discover common family names associated with the first name Curtis to help you find related genealogy records.

Family Name Popularity
Smith 1.73%
Brown 1.25%
Johnson 1.02%
Jones 0.94%
Hall 0.94%
White 0.86%
Davis 0.71%
Thompson 0.63%
Miller 0.55%
Moore 0.55%
Pare 0.55%
Williams 0.55%
Green 0.55%
Jackson 0.55%
Martin 0.55%
King 0.47%
Bennett 0.47%
Asselin 0.47%
Rouse 0.47%
Taylor 0.39%

Discover common family names associated with the first name Curtis to help you find related genealogy records.

Family Name Popularity
Smith 1.73%
Brown 1.25%
Johnson 1.02%
Jones 0.94%
Hall 0.94%
White 0.86%
Davis 0.71%
Thompson 0.63%
Miller 0.55%
Moore 0.55%
Pare 0.55%
Williams 0.55%
Green 0.55%
Jackson 0.55%
Martin 0.55%
King 0.47%
Bennett 0.47%
Asselin 0.47%
Rouse 0.47%
Taylor 0.39%

Updated: 



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Last update: 2025-05-20

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