Curtis

"Courteous" — a name that has always signaled polish, refinement, and good character

Curtis derives from the Old French curteis, meaning courteous or refined, itself from the medieval Latin curtensis meaning court-dweller or someone raised at a noble court. It was originally an English nickname given to someone of polished manners, and later developed into a surname. Curtis was widely used as a given name in the United States throughout the 20th century, particularly in African American communities where it was associated with musicians like Curtis Mayfield. The name combines a sense of cultivated character with an easy American cadence.