Merwyn Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Merwyn is an Old English name meaning 'sea friend' or 'joyful sea'. It has evolved from historical forms such as Merewin and Merwin. The name reflects traits of companionship and joy, with no direct biblical relevance. Its popularity increased in the 19th and 20th centuries, and it is viewed positively in modern contexts.
The name Merwyn is most popular in Iowa, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the Silent Generation generation in the MidWest region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Merwyn 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, 'Merwyn' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2069th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1423rd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3454th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 8050th out of 10718 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 7989th out of 9107 names. Discover how the name 'Merwyn' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Merwyn"
Pronunciation
/ˈmɜːrwɪn/
Origin
Old English
Etymology
The name Merwyn is derived from the Old English elements 'mer' meaning 'sea' and 'wyn' meaning 'friend' or 'joy'. Thus, it can be interpreted as 'sea friend' or 'joyful sea'.
Meaning
sea friend, joyful sea
Language Evolution
Merewin, Merwin, Merwyn
Historical Usage
Merwyn has been used since the early medieval period in England but gained more prominence in the 19th and 20th centuries as names with Old English roots became fashionable.
Variants & Derivatives
Merwin, Mervyn
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Merwyn is considered a unique and somewhat vintage name, often viewed positively for its historical roots.
Famous People
Merwyn H. S. H. O’Rourke, a notable figure in the field of literature.
Explore More Merwyn Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Merwyn"
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 "Merwyn"
"Merwyn" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 2069th of 7545 | 243 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1423rd of 6773 | 422 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 3454th of 7552 | 104 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 8050th of 10718 | 17 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 7989th of 9107 | 10 |
Regional Popularity of "Merwyn" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
70.55% 999th/1416 |
- | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
57.24% 885th/1546 |
78.86% 1227th/1556 |
- |
73.11% 1131st/1547 |
| 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) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Merwyn" 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 "Merwyn"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Merwyn" 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.