US Popularity Rank: 5796

Origin: Latin

Meaning: Dark-skinned; Moorish

Morrel is a down-to-earth cousin of Maury and Maurice. This masculine pick bears the meaning "dark" skinned" or "Moorish," after the ancient African kingdom Mauretania. While under Roman rule in 40 CE, Roman soldiers called the region's inhabitants Moors or Mauri. One notable bearer is author David Morrell, whose debut novel First Blood inspired the Rambo movies starring Sylvester Stallone.