Martyn: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Martyn

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1956

17 babies

All-time total

566

#7,331 all-time among boys

First recorded

1917

in Social Security records

Martyn popularity over time

566 babies have been named Martyn since 1917, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Boys	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–
1910s	6	1	–	#3,823
1920s	6	1	0%	#4,167
1930s	20	2	+233%	#2,559
1940s	43	4	+115%	#2,673
1950s	123	12	+186%	#1,995
1960s	102	10	-17%	#2,274
1970s	74	7	-27%	#3,006
1980s	49	5	-34%	#4,556
1990s	57	6	+16%	#5,006
2000s	35	4	-39%	#8,788
2010s	35	4	0%	#10,341
2020s (to 2025)	16	3	-24%	#11,782

The story of Martyn

Martyn is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1917, 566 American babies have been named Martyn. Its peak came in 1956, when 17 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1950s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Martyn stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Martyn?

The median living Martyn is about 52 years old; half are between 31 and 66. An estimated 500 people named Martyn are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Martyn year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–
2024	5	#13,521
2023	–	–
2022	6	#11,782
2021	–	–
2020	5	#13,362
2019	5	#13,427
2018	6	#11,651
2017	–	–
2016	7	#10,352
2015	5	#13,338
2014	7	#10,341
2013	–	–
2012	–	–
2011	5	#13,624
2010	–	–
2009	6	#11,938
2008	5	#13,873
2007	5	#13,688
2006	5	#13,314
2005	–	–
2004	–	–
2003	–	–
2002	7	#9,052
2001	–	–
2000	7	#8,788
1995	6	#8,500
1990	9	#5,658
1985	9	#4,556
1980	6	#5,977
1975	5	#5,996
1970	11	#3,006
1965	13	#2,336
1960	14	#2,274
1955	15	#2,105
1950	7	#3,221
1945	5	#3,611
1940	–	–
1935	–	–
1930	5	#4,351
1925	–	–
1920	–	–
1915	–	–
1910	–	–
1905	–	–
1900	–	–
1895	–	–
1890	–	–
1885	–	–
1880	–	–

Famous people named Martyn

The most globally famous bearers of the name, ranked by fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).

1 Martyn Poliakoff British chemist (born 1947) Contemporary
2 Martyn Rooney English sprinter b. 1987 · Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Martyn, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Martyn?

The median living Martyn is about 52 years old. Half of all living Martyns are between 31 and 66 years old.

How many people named Martyn are alive today?

An estimated 500 people named Martyn are alive in the United States, based on 566 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Martyn mean?

Martyn is a given name which may refer to:Martyn (musician), Dutch DJ Martyn Bennett (1971–2005), Scottish musician Martyn Bennett (footballer), English footballer Martyn Brabbins, British conductor Martyn Buchwald (1942–2018), birth name…

How popular is the name Martyn in 2025?

Martyn did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Martyn?

566 babies have been named Martyn in the United States since 1917, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Martyn most popular?

Martyn peaked in 1956, when 17 newborns received the name.

Is Martyn a boy or girl name?

Martyn is overwhelmingly a boy's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Martyn rising or falling?

Martyn is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Who are famous people named Martyn?

Well-known people named Martyn include Martyn Poliakoff (chemist), Martyn Rooney (athlete).

Names like Martyn

Names that sound and feel close to Martyn: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Martyn with similar names → More names starting with M →