A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Menno since 1896
Babies named Menno per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2021, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Menno's real moment was 1896.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 5 |
| 1910s | 112 |
| 1920s | 126 |
| 1930s | 61 |
| 1940s | 56 |
| 1950s | 64 |
| 1960s | 82 |
| 1970s | 83 |
| 1980s | 142 |
| 1990s | 152 |
| 2000s | 201 |
| 2010s | 193 |
| 2020s | 176 |
Meaning & origin
Menno is a distinctively Frisian and Dutch name with strong historical ties to the Anabaptist movement through Menno Simons. While the name first appeared in U.S. records in 1896, it remains uncommon, ranking 3,658 in 2025. Its popularity has been slowly rising since 1996, with a peak year of 1896 suggesting a revival pattern. The name is most frequently found in Missouri and Pennsylvania. Despite its rarity, the legacy of Menno Simons gives it a solid cultural footprint, and its simple two-syllable sound makes it accessible in English-speaking contexts.
Menno is a Frisian and Dutch name, likely a short form of names like Meinhard or Meino, from the Germanic element 'megin' meaning 'strength' or 'power'. It is particularly associated with Menno Simons (1496-1561), a Dutch priest and early leader of the Anabaptist movement, from whose name the Mennonite denomination is derived. The name has been used in the Netherlands and among Dutch-descended communities, and has seen a modest revival in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Where Menno is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Meino
Sibling names for Menno
Names that share Menno's style, for a brother or sister.
