Merton Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Merton has its origins in Old English, meaning 'settlement by the lake'. It evolved through various historical forms, maintaining its connection to its geographical roots. The name carries traits of tradition and nature. There is no direct biblical relevance associated with Merton. It has gained popularity as both a surname and a given name in modern usage.
The name Merton is most popular in Maine, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Merton has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Merton' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 549th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 747th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1594th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3327th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 10567th out of 16616 names. Discover how the name 'Merton' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Merton"
Pronunciation
/ˈmɜːrtən/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Merton is derived from the Old English elements 'mere', meaning 'lake' or 'pool', and 'tun', meaning 'enclosure' or 'settlement'. Thus, it can be interpreted as 'settlement by the lake'.
Meaning
Settlement by the lake
Language Evolution
Merton (Old English), Myrtune (Middle English), Merton (Modern English)
Historical Usage
Merton has been used as a surname and place name in England since the medieval period. Its popularity as a personal name has steadily increased in modern times, particularly in the 20th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Mert, Mertin, Mertyn
Modern Popularity & Image
Merton is perceived as a traditional and somewhat uncommon name. It evokes a sense of heritage and connection to nature, reflecting its meaning.
Famous People
Merton Miller, an American economist and Nobel laureate, Merton College, Oxford, which is named after the place name
Explore More Merton Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Merton"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Merton"
"Merton" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 549th of 7545 | 2,041 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 747th of 6773 | 1,276 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1594th of 7552 | 459 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3327th of 10718 | 151 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 10567th of 16616 | 28 |
Regional Popularity of "Merton" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
27.40% 388th/1416 |
25.60% 353rd/1379 |
- |
50.70% 579th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
36.80% 569th/1546 |
26.99% 420th/1556 |
- |
51.65% 799th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
63.27% 1409th/2227 |
41.40% 1006th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Merton" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Merton"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Merton" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.