Mortimer
Every Mortimer since 1880 — 1,943 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Mortimer
Mortimer 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, 1,943 American babies have been named Mortimer. Its peak came in 1916, when 91 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1910s.
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 Mortimer stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Mortimer 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 | 5 | #13,528 |
| 2022 | — | — |
| 2021 | 6 | #11,701 |
| 2020 | 8 | #9,281 |
| 2019 | 5 | #13,496 |
| 2018 | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — |
| 2015 | 5 | #13,417 |
| 2014 | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 7 | #4,103 |
| 1965 | 6 | #3,806 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | 12 | #2,287 |
| 1945 | 5 | #3,632 |
| 1940 | 12 | #2,153 |
| 1935 | 12 | #2,207 |
| 1930 | 36 | #1,186 |
| 1925 | 58 | #887 |
| 1920 | 70 | #803 |
| 1915 | 76 | #669 |
| 1910 | 11 | #1,023 |
| 1905 | 12 | #729 |
| 1900 | 6 | #1,267 |
| 1895 | 8 | #846 |
| 1890 | 7 | #855 |
| 1885 | 11 | #595 |
| 1880 | 12 | #552 |
Famous people named Mortimer
- Mortimer J. Adler Philosopher · 1902–2001
- Mortimer Wheeler Archaeologist · 1890–1976
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Mortimer in 2025?
Mortimer 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 Mortimer?
1,943 babies have been named Mortimer in the United States since 1880, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Mortimer most popular?
Mortimer peaked in 1916, when 91 newborns received the name.
Is Mortimer a boy or girl name?
Mortimer is overwhelmingly a boy's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Mortimer rising or falling?
Mortimer has been roughly stable over the past decade.
Who are famous people named Mortimer?
Well-known people named Mortimer include Mortimer J. Adler (philosopher), Mortimer Wheeler (archaeologist).