Holding steady.
Popularity of Morton since 1880
Babies named Morton per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 191 |
| 1890s | 199 |
| 1900s | 213 |
| 1910s | 2,391 |
| 1920s | 4,335 |
| 1930s | 2,957 |
| 1940s | 1,009 |
| 1950s | 438 |
| 1960s | 270 |
| 1970s | 144 |
| 1980s | 73 |
| 1990s | 52 |
| 2000s | 24 |
| 2010s | 32 |
| 2020s | 8 |
Meaning & origin
Morton is a classic English name with a long history, first recorded in official U.S. data in 1880. It reached its peak popularity in 1923, when it was most frequently chosen for baby boys. The name has a stable trajectory in recent decades, maintaining a consistent but low level of use. As a surname-turned-first-name, Morton follows a pattern common among English names of the 19th and early 20th centuries. It is often associated with the nickname Mort or Morty, giving it a friendly, approachable feel. While it never cracked the top 100, Morton was a familiar choice in the early 1900s, particularly in the 1920s when it saw its highest usage.
Morton is an English surname and place name derived from Old English 'mor' (moor, marsh) and 'tun' (enclosure, settlement). It originated as a locational name for someone who lived near a moor settlement. As a given name, it came into use in the 19th century, often as a surname transferred to the first name, following the fashion for using family names as first names.
Where Morton is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mort, Morty
Variants: Morten
Sibling names for Morton
Names that share Morton's style, for a brother or sister.
