Morse

“Son of the moor; from the marsh”

American origin · Boy name

♂ 97% boys♀ 3% girls

#1874US 2023

326Births / yr

→Stable

374All-time births

📅 Since 191300

How to pronounce Morse

MAWRS

/ˈmɔrs/ · stress on MAWRS · 1 syllable

“Son of the moor; from the marsh”

American origin · Boy name

What does Morse mean and where does it come from?

Morse is of English origin, derived from a surname that originally referred to someone living near a moor or marshland. This name came into more common use as a given name in the 19th century. The most notable person with the surname is Samuel Morse, an American inventor and painter, best known for

Cultural significance

Morse has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of son of the moor; from the marsh.

Peak popularity

Reached #1769 in 1914 — currently #1874 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Morse?

Morse works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Morse Grace

How popular is Morse right now?

Holding steady — currently #1874 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1915–2023#1874 · Top 1.4%

1915

1920

1925

1930

1940

1950

1955

1960

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#1874	326	▲ up 5 · +7% births
2022	#1879	306	▲ up 5 · +11% births
2021	#1884	276	▲ up 1582 · +3843% births
1960	#3466	7	▼ down 141
1955	#3325	7	▲ up 547 · +40% births
1950	#3872	5	▼ down 203
1940	#3669	5	▼ down 945 · -50% births
1930	#2724	10	▼ down 793 · -44% births
1925	#1931	18	▲ up 191 · +13% births
1920	#2122	16	▼ down 250
1915	#1872	16	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Morse

Best Year1915Rank #1872

Peak Count326

Average Rank#2602

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1915 - 202311 years

The story of Morse

Morse entered American naming records in 1913 and has been in use for over 111 years. With 374 total births recorded, Morse remains relatively uncommon.

Names that peaked alongside Morse in 1914:

John William James Robert Joseph

Morse by decade

Morse peaked in the 1910s. See all 1910s names →

Decade	Births
1910s	84
1920s ★	123
1930s	57
1940s	37
1950s	55
1960s	12
1970s	6

💎Morse has only 374 total recorded births since 1913 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.

What are good nicknames for Morse?

Common

MorMo

What names sound and feel like Morse?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Morse also consider these

Dorse

American · Dark one or

Morise

American · dark-skinned

American · A name meaning

Common questions about the name Morse

What does the name Morse mean?

Morse means "Son of the moor; from the marsh" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Morse?

Morse is currently a distinctive and less common name as a boy name in the US and is holding steady in popularity, a reliable classic that parents consistently choose.

What is the cultural origin of Morse?

Morse originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Morse?

Morse is a one-syllable name pronounced M AO1 R S. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

How does Morse sound with different last names?

As a one-syllable name, Morse flows best with last names of two or three syllables. Avoid last names ending in the same sound as Morse ends, as this can create an unwanted rhyme. Test by saying the full name out loud several times.