Mervyn
Welsh Merfyn, probably from mer (“marrow”) (from Proto-Brythonic *mer) + myn (“eminent”) (compare Irish mín (“smooth, elegant, courteous”)).
Every Mervyn since 1905 — 1,586 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Mervyn
Mervyn 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, 1,586 American babies have been named Mervyn. Its peak came in 1937, when 55 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1930s.
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 Mervyn stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Mervyn 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 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | 5 | #13,541 |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | 7 | #9,075 |
| 2001 | — | — | 6 | #10,106 |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | 8 | #6,220 |
| 1985 | — | — | 7 | #5,554 |
| 1980 | — | — | 7 | #5,309 |
| 1975 | — | — | 6 | #5,228 |
| 1970 | — | — | 7 | #4,098 |
| 1965 | — | — | 8 | #3,160 |
| 1960 | — | — | 9 | #3,012 |
| 1955 | — | — | 10 | #2,701 |
| 1950 | — | — | 16 | #1,927 |
| 1945 | — | — | 19 | #1,561 |
| 1940 | — | — | 39 | #1,044 |
| 1935 | — | — | 54 | #856 |
| 1930 | — | — | 47 | #999 |
| 1925 | — | — | 35 | #1,216 |
| 1920 | — | — | 36 | #1,221 |
| 1915 | — | — | 29 | #1,235 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | 5 | #1,361 |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Mervyn
- Mervyn LeRoy Film director · 1900–1987
- Mervyn Peake Writer · 1911–1968
- Mervyn Rose Tennis player · 1930–2017
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mervyn mean?
Welsh Merfyn, probably from mer (“marrow”) (from Proto-Brythonic *mer) + myn (“eminent”) (compare Irish mín (“smooth, elegant, courteous”)).
How popular is the name Mervyn in 2025?
Mervyn 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 Mervyn?
1,586 babies have been named Mervyn in the United States since 1905, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Mervyn most popular?
Mervyn peaked in 1937, when 55 newborns received the name.
Is Mervyn a boy or girl name?
Mervyn is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Mervyn rising or falling?
Mervyn has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Mervyn?
Well-known people named Mervyn include Mervyn LeRoy (film director), Mervyn Peake (writer), Mervyn Rose (tennis player).