Merced
Every Merced since 1905 — 945 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Merced
Merced 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 1905, 945 American babies have been named Merced — about 81% boys and 19% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1924, when 23 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
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 Merced stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Merced year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | 7 | #10,418 |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | 5 | #13,536 |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | 6 | #11,689 |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | 5 | #18,925 | 6 | #11,712 |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | 9 | #8,776 |
| 2007 | — | — | 8 | #9,455 |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | 6 | #11,018 |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | 8 | #8,360 |
| 2002 | — | — | 8 | #8,192 |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | 13 | #5,489 |
| 1995 | — | — | 7 | #7,527 |
| 1990 | 8 | #9,841 | 6 | #7,770 |
| 1985 | — | — | 6 | #6,257 |
| 1980 | 6 | #9,878 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | 8 | #4,175 |
| 1970 | — | — | 8 | #3,724 |
| 1965 | — | — | 5 | #4,262 |
| 1960 | — | — | 9 | #3,011 |
| 1955 | — | — | 5 | #4,204 |
| 1950 | — | — | 10 | #2,529 |
| 1945 | — | — | 14 | #1,902 |
| 1940 | — | — | 14 | #1,954 |
| 1935 | — | — | 7 | #3,155 |
| 1930 | 6 | #4,391 | 15 | #2,034 |
| 1925 | 5 | #5,524 | 10 | #2,868 |
| 1920 | 10 | #3,273 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | 6 | #1,189 |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Merced in 2025?
Merced 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 Merced?
945 babies have been named Merced in the United States since 1905, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Merced most popular?
Merced peaked in 1924, when 23 newborns received the name.
Is Merced a boy or girl name?
Merced is used for both: about 19% of babies named Merced have been girls and 81% boys.
Is the name Merced rising or falling?
Merced is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.