Merton
Merton is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Town or settlement near a lake or marsh.
Origin and history
Merton is an English surname and given name derived from an Old English place name meaning settlement near a lake or marsh. It was moderately used in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, it is extremely rare as a newborn name in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
4,247 babies in the United States have been named Merton since 1880. It ranks #1918 all-time.
States where it is most popular
- NY (25.1 %)
- ME (12.9 %)
- MN (11.3 %)
- MA (10.7 %)
- MI (10 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 158 |
| 1890-1900 | 128 |
| 1900-1910 | 145 |
| 1910-1920 | 821 |
| 1920-1930 | 1,311 |
| 1930-1940 | 761 |
| 1940-1950 | 428 |
| 1950-1960 | 239 |
| 1960-1970 | 135 |
| 1970-1980 | 84 |
| 1980-1990 | 27 |
| 1990-2000 | 10 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 0 |
Famous people named Merton
- Merton Miller: Economist, Academic
Fun facts
- The name originates from the Old English elements 'mære' (lake or marsh) and 'tūn' (farmstead, enclosure, or settlement).
- Trappist monk and writer Thomas Merton brought significant literary recognition to the name in the 20th century.