Morton
Morton is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Town near a moor or marsh.
Origin and history
Morton originated as an Old English habitational surname referring to someone who lived near a moor or marshy settlement. Historically used as a given name in the United States, its popularity peaked in the early-to-mid 20th century. Today, it is an uncommon classic name with vintage appeal.
Popularity in the United States
12,336 babies in the United States have been named Morton since 1880. It ranks #1064 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1919.
States where it is most popular
- NY (47.1 %)
- PA (13.9 %)
- IL (8 %)
- NJ (5.2 %)
- MA (3.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 191 |
| 1890-1900 | 199 |
| 1900-1910 | 213 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,391 |
| 1920-1930 | 4,335 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,957 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,009 |
| 1950-1960 | 438 |
| 1960-1970 | 270 |
| 1970-1980 | 144 |
| 1980-1990 | 73 |
| 1990-2000 | 52 |
| 2000-2010 | 24 |
| 2010-2019 | 32 |
| 2020-2029 | 8 |
Famous people named Morton
- Morton Downey Jr.: Talk show host, Singer
- Morton Gould: Composer, Conductor
- Morton Feldman: Composer
Nicknames
Morty, Mort
Fun facts
- The name comes from Old English 'mōr' (moor or marsh) and 'tūn' (enclosure or settlement).
- Morton was most popular in the U.S. during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.