Holding steady, #10,917 for girls today.
Popularity of Myrtle since 1880
Babies named Myrtle per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1918, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Myrtle's real moment was 1895.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1880s | 9,769 |
| 1890s | 17,717 |
| 1900s | 19,691 |
| 1910s | 32,432 |
| 1920s | 30,569 |
| 1930s | 14,134 |
| 1940s | 7,274 |
| 1950s | 3,106 |
| 1960s | 1,166 |
| 1970s | 356 |
| 1980s | 153 |
| 1990s | 62 |
| 2000s | 6 |
| 2010s | 31 |
| 2020s | 20 |
Meaning & origin
Myrtle is a botanical name that reached its peak popularity in 1895, when it ranked among the top names for girls in the United States. It experienced a steep decline throughout the 20th century and is now extremely uncommon, with only 1 in 200,908 babies receiving the name in the latest year. The name's trajectory has been stable in recent decades, never seeing the revival enjoyed by other vintage botanical names. Despite its scarcity, Myrtle retains a strong connection to Victorian-era nomenclature and the nature-inspired naming trends of the 19th century.
Myrtle derives directly from the English word for the plant, itself from Latin 'myrtus' and Greek 'myrtos'. The myrtle was sacred to Venus in Roman mythology and has been a symbol of love and peace. As a given name, Myrtle first appeared in the 19th century during the Victorian plant-name trend, which also produced names like Rose and Lily.
Where Myrtle is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls 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: Myrt, Myrtie, Mert
Sibling names for Myrtle
Names that share Myrtle's style, for a brother or sister.
Sisters: Pearl, Ivy, Hazel, Mabel, Ethel, Doris, Lois, Melba, Verna, Bulah, Dortha, Lurline, Syble, Verda, Vernice, Vernie, Gertha, Idell, Veola, Verlie, Aldine, Bernece, Bernyce, Birdia, Brooksie, Cledith, Cleola, Doreatha, Girtha, Izola, Jestine, Lajean, Lavergne, Laverta, Loetta, Mertice, Pecola, Wilberta, Albirta, Arretta, Clarine, Delberta, Ercel, Ercell, Floyce, Gladine, Glenola, Jilda, Lafern, Laverle, Marvie, Verdella, Waunita, Willodene, Glayds, Alvine, Arthella, Birdena, Bonnetta, Clorene, Etoy, Ezelle, Laberta, Leotta, Leveda, Lillar, Odester, Oreatha, Sible, Verbie, Verble, Vergene, Verneal, Virdell, Wahneta, Willeen
Brothers: Earl, Frederick, Arthur, Clarence, Walter, Willard, Burnell, Luverne, Milford, Vernard, Cloyd, Leverne, Murry, Randle, Verl, Verle, Virgle, Alvester, Burnis, Byrl, Loyde, Oval, Vearl, Virgel, Waddell, Winferd, Artice, Erbie, Gervis, Hargis, Herschell, Orbie, Ruble, Vernel, Willmer, Garl, Cloyde, Edgel, Floyed, Marl, Ordean, Thedford
