Mortimer
Mortimer is a boy's name of French origin.
Meaning
Still water or dead sea.
Origin and history
Mortimer is an Anglo-Norman name derived from a French place name meaning 'still water' or 'dead sea'. It transitioned from an aristocratic surname into a given name in the English-speaking world. Though historically well-known, it is rarely used for newborn boys in the United States today.
Popularity in the United States
1,943 babies in the United States have been named Mortimer since 1880. It ranks #2917 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1908.
States where it is most popular
- NY (87.5 %)
- NJ (6.9 %)
- IL (1.7 %)
- MA (1.7 %)
- CT (1.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 99 |
| 1890-1900 | 93 |
| 1900-1910 | 97 |
| 1910-1920 | 645 |
| 1920-1930 | 603 |
| 1930-1940 | 187 |
| 1940-1950 | 75 |
| 1950-1960 | 59 |
| 1960-1970 | 39 |
| 1970-1980 | 17 |
| 1980-1990 | 0 |
| 1990-2000 | 0 |
| 2000-2010 | 0 |
| 2010-2019 | 10 |
| 2020-2029 | 19 |
Famous people named Mortimer
- Mortimer Adler: Philosopher, Author
- Mortimer Wheeler: Archaeologist, Officer
Nicknames
Morty, Mort
Fun facts
- The name traces back to Mortemer in Normandy, named after the stagnant waters of a nearby lake.
- The Baronial House of Mortimer played a major role in medieval English political history.