A 1880s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Marsh since 1882
Babies named Marsh per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1938, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Marsh's real moment was 1882.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 7 |
| 1890s | 0 |
| 1900s | 0 |
| 1910s | 40 |
| 1920s | 66 |
| 1930s | 55 |
| 1940s | 38 |
| 1950s | 88 |
| 1960s | 37 |
| 1970s | 28 |
| 1980s | 10 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 29 |
Meaning & origin
Marsh is an English topographic surname turned given name, meaning 'one who lived near a marsh.' It first appeared as a first name in 1882, the same year it peaked in 1882, when it was recorded as a rare but still notable choice among families drawn to nature-inspired surnames. After a long decline, the name has been rising again since 2020, reflecting a broader revival of 1880s surnames and unisex nature names. In 2025, Marsh ranked 12,008, with only about 1 in every 341,615 newborns receiving the name. Its trajectory suggests a quiet comeback, though it remains an uncommon pick.
Marsh originated as an English topographic surname for someone who lived near a marsh or fen, derived from Old English 'mersc' meaning 'marsh'. As a given name, it emerged as a surname transfer, following the tradition of using family names as first names, particularly in the United States. Its use has been sporadic, with recorded instances in the late 19th century.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Marsh
Names that share Marsh's style, for a brother or sister.
