Merton: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among boys

Babies in 2025

named Merton

How common

–

boys born in 2025

Peak year

1920

150 babies

All-time total

4,247

#1,995 all-time among boys

First recorded

1880

in Social Security records

Merton popularity over time

4,247 babies have been named Merton since 1880, 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	158	16	–	#333
1890s	128	13	-19%	#454
1900s	145	15	+13%	#496
1910s	821	82	+466%	#509
1920s	1,311	131	+60%	#494
1930s	761	76	-42%	#565
1940s	428	43	-44%	#810
1950s	239	24	-44%	#1,308
1960s	135	14	-44%	#1,952
1970s	84	8	-38%	#2,701
1980s	27	3	-68%	#4,379
1990s	10	1	-63%	#9,672
2000s	–	–	–	–
2010s	–	–	–	–
2020s (to 2025)	–	–	–	–

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.

How old are people named Merton?

The median living Merton is about 74 years old; half are between 62 and 83. An estimated 700 people named Merton 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.

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

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

1 Merton Miller American economist and Nobel Laureate (1923–2000) Contemporary

Portraits from Wikipedia (Wikimedia Commons).

Frequently asked questions

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

How old is the average Merton?

The median living Merton is about 74 years old. Half of all living Mertons are between 62 and 83 years old.

How many people named Merton are alive today?

An estimated 700 people named Merton are alive in the United States, based on 4,247 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Merton mean?

Merton is a masculine given name which may refer to:Montague Merton Barker (1867–1954), English first-class cricketer and international field hockey player Merton J.

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).

Names like Merton

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

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