Merna
Merna is a girl's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Beloved or tender.
Origin and history
Merna is a female given name of Gaelic origin, traditionally considered an Anglicized form of Myrna or Muirne. It carries the meaning of beloved or tender. Historically used in the United States during the mid-20th century, it remains a rare choice today.
Popularity in the United States
2,461 babies in the United States have been named Merna since 1880. It ranks #3561 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2049.
States where it is most popular
- NE (39.5 %)
- IA (21.7 %)
- IL (12 %)
- KS (5.8 %)
- NY (5.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 27 |
| 1900-1910 | 78 |
| 1910-1920 | 323 |
| 1920-1930 | 525 |
| 1930-1940 | 582 |
| 1940-1950 | 317 |
| 1950-1960 | 214 |
| 1960-1970 | 100 |
| 1970-1980 | 18 |
| 1980-1990 | 7 |
| 1990-2000 | 43 |
| 2000-2010 | 88 |
| 2010-2019 | 87 |
| 2020-2029 | 52 |
Famous people named Merna
- Merna Kennedy: Actress
Fun facts
- Merna is an alternate spelling of the Irish name Myrna, which stems from the Gaelic word Muirne.
- The name experienced its primary period of popularity in the early to mid-20th century in the United States.