Merton
Every Merton since 1880 — 4,247 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Merton
Merton 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 1880, 4,247 American babies have been named Merton. Its peak came in 1920, when 150 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 Merton stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Merton 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 | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | 5 | #9,813 |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | 5 | #7,225 |
| 1980 | 9 | #4,379 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 13 | #2,701 |
| 1965 | 9 | #2,919 |
| 1960 | 16 | #2,095 |
| 1955 | 20 | #1,766 |
| 1950 | 31 | #1,308 |
| 1945 | 30 | #1,221 |
| 1940 | 45 | #963 |
| 1935 | 79 | #675 |
| 1930 | 113 | #565 |
| 1925 | 141 | #514 |
| 1920 | 150 | #494 |
| 1915 | 105 | #546 |
| 1910 | 16 | #773 |
| 1905 | 16 | #607 |
| 1900 | 6 | #1,265 |
| 1895 | 12 | #631 |
| 1890 | 8 | #794 |
| 1885 | 12 | #567 |
| 1880 | 27 | #333 |
Famous people named Merton
- Merton Miller Economist · 1923–2000
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Merton in 2025?
Merton 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 Merton?
4,247 babies have been named Merton in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Merton most popular?
Merton peaked in 1920, when 150 newborns received the name.
Is Merton a boy or girl name?
Merton is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Merton rising or falling?
Merton has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Merton?
Well-known people named Merton include Merton Miller (economist).