Merna
Every Merna since 1895 — 2,461 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Merna
Merna is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1895, 2,461 American babies have been named Merna. Its peak came in 1930, when 79 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1930s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Merna stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Merna year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | 8 | #11,800 |
| 2023 | 7 | #13,018 |
| 2022 | 12 | #8,869 |
| 2021 | 11 | #9,358 |
| 2020 | 14 | #7,831 |
| 2019 | 8 | #12,076 |
| 2018 | 6 | #15,039 |
| 2017 | 14 | #8,143 |
| 2016 | 13 | #8,715 |
| 2015 | 11 | #9,937 |
| 2014 | 9 | #11,638 |
| 2013 | 8 | #12,778 |
| 2012 | 8 | #13,046 |
| 2011 | 10 | #10,925 |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | 10 | #11,226 |
| 2008 | 7 | #14,879 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — |
| 2005 | 10 | #10,666 |
| 2004 | 6 | #15,427 |
| 2003 | 15 | #7,462 |
| 2002 | 14 | #7,699 |
| 2001 | 13 | #8,044 |
| 2000 | 13 | #7,882 |
| 1995 | 9 | #9,271 |
| 1990 | 7 | #10,968 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | — | — |
| 1965 | 9 | #4,720 |
| 1960 | 21 | #2,699 |
| 1955 | 26 | #2,144 |
| 1950 | 22 | #2,102 |
| 1945 | 28 | #1,564 |
| 1940 | 51 | #1,006 |
| 1935 | 57 | #922 |
| 1930 | 79 | #799 |
| 1925 | 40 | #1,245 |
| 1920 | 49 | #1,070 |
| 1915 | 36 | #1,149 |
| 1910 | 14 | #1,255 |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | 7 | #1,683 |
| 1895 | 5 | #1,747 |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Famous people named Merna
- Merna Kennedy Actor · 1908–1944
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Merna in 2025?
Merna did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Merna?
2,461 babies have been named Merna in the United States since 1895, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Merna most popular?
Merna peaked in 1930, when 79 newborns received the name.
Is Merna a boy or girl name?
Merna is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Merna rising or falling?
Merna is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Merna?
Well-known people named Merna include Merna Kennedy (actor).