Mervyn Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Mervyn is a name of Welsh origin that means 'great sea'. It evolved from the Welsh 'Merfyn' and has seen various forms over time. The name is characterized by its unique sound and association with creativity. It has no biblical relevance and gained popularity in the 20th century, often linked to notable figures such as Mervyn Peake and Mervyn King.
The name Mervyn is most popular in California, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Mervyn has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Mervyn' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1453rd out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1092nd out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2225th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 3789th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 6372nd out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 16994th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 23106th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 9107th out of 9107 names. Discover how the name 'Mervyn' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Mervyn"
Pronunciation
/ˈmɜːrvɪn/
Origin
Welsh
Etymology
The name Mervyn is derived from the Welsh name 'Merfyn', which is composed of elements meaning 'sea' and 'eminent' or 'great'.
Meaning
Great sea
Language Evolution
Merfyn, Mervin, Mervyn
Historical Usage
Mervyn gained popularity in the 20th century, particularly in English-speaking countries, partly due to its use in literature and popular culture.
Variants & Derivatives
Mervin, Merfyn
Modern Popularity & Image
Mervyn is considered somewhat vintage but retains a classic charm. It is less common today but often associated with creativity and individuality.
Famous People
Mervyn Peake, Mervyn King
Explore More Mervyn Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Mervyn"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Mervyn"
"Mervyn" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1453rd of 7545 | 403 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1092nd of 6773 | 687 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 2225th of 7552 | 252 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 3789th of 10718 | 119 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 6372nd of 16616 | 94 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 16994th of 24088 | 21 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 23106th of 23106 | 5 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 9107th of 9107 | 5 |
Regional Popularity of "Mervyn" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- |
91.44% 1261st/1379 |
- |
38.70% 442nd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
64.49% 997th/1546 |
47.04% 732nd/1556 |
- |
32.84% 508th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Mervyn" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Mervyn"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Mervyn" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.