A 1890s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Mercer since 1881
Babies named Mercer per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2025, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Mercer's real moment was 1899.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 10 |
| 1890s | 0 | 6 |
| 1900s | 0 | 6 |
| 1910s | 5 | 98 |
| 1920s | 17 | 162 |
| 1930s | 0 | 78 |
| 1940s | 0 | 100 |
| 1950s | 0 | 75 |
| 1960s | 0 | 48 |
| 1970s | 0 | 19 |
| 1980s | 0 | 6 |
| 1990s | 0 | 42 |
| 2000s | 35 | 155 |
| 2010s | 101 | 308 |
| 2020s | 55 | 232 |
Meaning & origin
Mercer is an English occupational surname turned given name, meaning 'merchant' or 'trader.' First recorded in 1881, it reached its peak rank of 1899 in that same year, after which it declined for nearly a century. The name began a steady rise starting in 1991, reflecting a broader trend of reviving old-fashioned surname-names. As of 2025, Mercer ranked 2539th, with roughly 1 in 32,848 newborns receiving it. The name's revival has been most notable in Texas, which remains its top state. Mercer's trajectory suggests a continuing climb in popularity as it fits alongside other softened surname choices like Spencer and Sawyer.
Mercer is an occupational surname derived from Old French 'mercier', meaning a dealer in textiles or a merchant. It was brought to England after the Norman Conquest and became established as a surname before being adopted as a given name. The name saw its peak popularity in the late 19th century and has experienced a revival since the 1990s.
Where Mercer is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mercy, Merce
Variants: Mercier, Merser
Sibling names for Mercer
Names that share Mercer's style, for a brother or sister.
