Origin and Meaning of Curtis

Polite, courteous

Origin: French - Derived from the Old French name 'Curteis', which means 'courteous' or 'polite'. It can also relate to the Latin word 'curtus' meaning 'short' or 'cut off'.

• Curtis was originally a surname in England, adopted from the Old French term used to denote someone who was 'courteous'.
• The name Curtis has gained popularity in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States from the late 19th century onwards.
• Notable bearers of the name include Curtis Mayfield, a famous American singer-songwriter and civil rights activist, and Curtis Jackson, known as rapper 50 Cent.
• The name Curtis reached its peak popularity in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s, ranking among the top 100 names for boys.
• Variations of the name include Curt and Curtison, although the latter is much less common.