Name meaning & stats
Maureen
Maureen means “beloved, or bitter (debated)” (Irish origin). 130,329 US babies since 1940, peak 1957. Notable Maureens are 1.5× over-represented as journalists.
What it means
“beloved, or bitter (debated)”
IrishDebated
In US birth records
Peak year: 1957
130,329 US babies were named Maureen between 1940 and 2025.
Where Maureens end up
| Career | vs expected | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Writer | 1.5× | High · 28 people |
| Politician | 1.4× | Medium · 21 people |
| Actor | 0.7× | Medium · 17 people |
| Journalist | 1.5× | Medium · 13 people |
Among notable women who are journalists, Maureens show up 1.5× as often as you'd expect from how common the name is.
Notable people born 1940–2005 in the US, UK, Canada and Australia (Wikidata). Patterns, not destiny.
One more thing…
Maureen has a surprise career: 1.6×
Spelling family
Maureen is the main spelling
- Maureen 98%
- Maurine 1%
- Maurene <1%
Names that sound the same, grouped by Heyotag. Share of US babies since 1940.
Name twins (peaked around 1957)