Curtiss
Curtiss was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1943, when it ranked 674th; the most babies were born in 1959 (126). More babies were named Curtiss in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Meaning (as Curtis) courteous · English, Old French
- Rank in 2025
- Not rankedboys
- Babies in 2025
- 0boys
- Girls and boys
- Almost always a boy’s name2021–2025
- Peak year
- 1959126 babies
- Total since 1880
- 5,074babies recorded
What does the name Curtiss mean?
Curtiss is a spelling of Curtis, pronounced the same way, so it shares Curtis's meaning and origin.
Curtis is an English surname from Old French corteis, curteis 'courteous, polite', originally a nickname for a refined or courtly person, as Wiktionary notes; it is a doublet of the word courteous. As a first name it is a surname transfer that became common in the US in the mid-20th century. Curtis Mayfield and the rapper 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) are well-known bearers.
curteis (Old French, “courteous, polite”)
How sure is this? Well established.
See also: French names, virtue names.
Sources for this meaning
- Wiktionary, entry 'Curtis', Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0; facts restated, no text reused)
- Wiktionary, entry 'courteous' (English section), Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0; facts restated, no text reused)
- US Social Security Administration, national baby-name data 1880-2025 (our computation), SSA (public domain)
Curtiss popularity since 1880
| Year | Rank (boys) | Babies (boys) |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2020 | #12,428 | 5 |
| 2010 | #6,102 | 14 |
| 2000 | #5,344 | 13 |
| 1990 | #2,226 | 32 |
| 1980 | #1,575 | 38 |
| 1970 | #934 | 73 |
| 1960 | #809 | 89 |
| 1950 | #807 | 71 |
| 1940 | #783 | 63 |
| 1930 | #947 | 51 |
| 1920 | #1,094 | 42 |
| 1910 | #1,226 | 8 |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
How popular is Curtiss, counting every spelling?
Curtiss is a spelling of Curtis, a name family that ranked #832 for boys in 2025 once every spelling is counted together. Together these spellings went to 279 boys in 2025.
Spellings count together when they sound the same in American English and are used for the same sex; nicknames and forms that sound different (such as Theo and Theodore) are kept apart. How we group spellings.
How old are people named Curtiss?
About 2,800 people born in the US named Curtiss are alive today, with a median age of 62; half are between 46 and 71. That makes Curtiss a name most people associate with older generations.
Babies given the name each year (SSA) times the share of that birth year still alive (SSA life tables). Counts people born in the US only. Method.
Curtiss by state
How common Curtiss was among boys born in each state in 1957–1961, around its peak. In 37 states fewer than five boys a year got the name, too few for SSA to publish, so those states show as zero.
Names with a similar history
These names rose and fell in step with Curtiss: their share of US boys followed the most similar curve since 1880. If you like Curtiss, they share its era and feel.
Questions about the name Curtiss
What does Curtiss mean?
Curtiss is a spelling of Curtis, which means “courteous” (English, Old French origin). Certainty: well established.
How popular is the name Curtiss?
Curtiss was not among the names given to 5 or more boys in 2025. Its best year was 1943, when it ranked 674th; the most babies were born in 1959 (126). More babies were named Curtiss in the 1950s than in any other decade.
Is Curtiss a boy or girl name?
In 2021–2025, almost always a boy’s name given the name Curtiss in the US.
Where was Curtiss most popular?
In 1957–1961, Curtiss was most common in South Carolina (0.07 per 1,000 boys), followed by Ohio and Texas.