Monroe is a given name of English origin, derived from the surname Monroe, which is of Scottish or Irish descent. The surname is believed to have originated from the Gaelic word "Munro," meaning "from the mouth of the Roe" in reference to the River Roe in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
The name Monroe has been popular among Americans for several decades, with its peak usage occurring in the mid-20th century. It gained significant attention when Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, adopted it as her stage name and became one of Hollywood's most iconic actresses during the 1950s and 1960s.
However, the popularity of the name Monroe is not solely attributed to its famous bearer. The name has also been popular among parents who appreciate its strong, unisex appeal and its historical significance as a place name in American history, such as the U.S. state capital named after James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States.
In recent years, the name Monroe has seen a resurgence in popularity among both boys and girls. According to the Social Security Administration, it ranked 748th for boys' names and 319th for girls' names in the United States in 2020.
Overall, the name Monroe is of Scottish or Irish origin and means "from the mouth of the Roe." It has gained popularity over time due to its unisex appeal, historical significance, and association with famous figures such as Marilyn Monroe.
The given statistics show the annual birth count of the name Monroe in the United States from 1880 to 2023. The name's popularity varies significantly over time, with peak years and periods of decline.
From 1880 to around 1912, the number of babies named Monroe remained relatively low, fluctuating between approximately 50 to 90 births per year. However, starting in 1913, there was a notable increase in popularity, with over 200 births each year for several years.
The name reached its peak popularity in 1918, with 362 births that year. This high level of popularity persisted until around 1927, after which the number of Monroe births began to decline steadily.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, the birth count ranged between approximately 150 to 250 per year, with a slight dip during World War II. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Monroe's popularity started to decline further, with fewer than 200 births each year.
From the mid-1950s onwards, the name's popularity continued to wane, dropping below 100 births per year by the late 1950s and early 1960s. This low level of popularity persisted until around the turn of the century.
However, since approximately 2007, there has been a resurgence in the popularity of the name Monroe, with over 30 births each year. The recent peak occurred in 2021 and 2022, with 189 and 141 births respectively, demonstrating that this name remains relevant today.
In total, from 1880 to 2023, there have been 16,775 babies named Monroe born in the United States. These statistics illustrate how the popularity of the name Monroe has ebbed and flowed over time but continues to be a recognizable choice for parents today.