What Does the Name Mauricio Mean?
Mauricio means "dark-skinned" or "Moorish," descending from the Latin name Mauritius, itself built on the root Maurus — the Latin word used for people from Mauretania, the ancient region of North Africa.
The Origin & History of Mauricio
The name spread through the Roman Empire and into medieval Europe partly through Saint Maurice, a 3rd-century Roman soldier and martyr venerated across the Catholic world. Its Spanish and Portuguese form, Mauricio, carries particular resonance in Iberia, where it echoes centuries of Muslim rule on the peninsula.
Cultural Reach
Mauricio is widely used across Spain and Latin America and has crossed into the US largely through Latino families. Public figures bearing the name — including a former president of Argentina and a Premier League football manager — have kept it visible in both Spanish- and English-language media.
Personality & Traits
The name's historical ties to leadership (through its royal and military namesakes) and its classical Roman pedigree give Mauricio a dignified, grounded feel — traditional without being old-fashioned.
Famous People Named Mauricio
Mauricio Macri served as President of Argentina from 2015 to 2019. Mauricio Pochettino is an Argentine football manager who has led Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea, and the US men's national team. Mauricio Umansky is a Los Angeles real estate agent known from "Buying Beverly Hills" and his marriage to Kyle Richards.
Popularity as a Given Name
SSA data recorded 442 boys named Mauricio in the US in 2024, up from 407 in 2023 — a steady riser, consistent and well-used within Latino communities rather than a recent fad.
Nicknames & Variants
Common nicknames include Mau and Mauri. Maurice (English), Maurizio (Italian), and Mauricio's Portuguese twin Maurício are the closest related forms.