Fun Facts About the Name Murdoch
- 57 babies named Murdoch: U.S. records list 57 babies given the name Murdoch from 1880 through 2025.
What Does the Name Murdoch Mean?
Murdoch is an anglicized Scottish form of the Gaelic personal name Muireadhach, which comes from Old Irish Muiredach. The first element is muir, "sea." The second element is not securely explained, so the full meaning is uncertain. The name is sometimes glossed as "sea warrior" or "lord of the sea," but those meanings are not firmly established for Muireadhach. The similar Gaelic name Murchadh (from muir and cath, "battle") is a different name; it means "sea warrior" and is anglicized as Murdo or Murrough, not Murdoch.
Murdoch Name History & Origins
The Gaelic name Muireadhach was used in both Ireland and Scotland. In early Ireland, its Old Irish form Muiredach was borne by kings, including Muiredach mac Eógain and Muiredach Tirech. In Scotland, the name appears in the medieval records of the earldom of Menteith: several earls in the 13th and 14th centuries were named Muireadhach, rendered in Scots and Latin as Murdach or Murdoch. The anglicized form Murdoch developed from this Scottish Gaelic name. It also became a hereditary surname, and the given name has continued in use in Scotland and in the English-speaking world. Bearers of the surname and given name include the Scottish engineer William Murdoch and the novelist Iris Murdoch.
How Popular is the Name Murdoch?
Murdoch has historically been an exceptionally rare given name in the United States, remaining well outside the national mainstream. It saw its highest recorded annual births in 2019. Its best rank was #4,685 in 1923.
U.S. name popularity from 1880-2025, based on SSA data. Rank shows how the name compares with other names - lower numbers mean greater popularity. Births shows how many babies received the name each year.
| Year | Rank | Births | % |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | #13,291 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2023 | #13,528 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2022 | #10,512 | 7 | 0.0004% |
| 2020 | #13,428 | 5 | 0.0003% |
| 2019 | #8,026 | 10 | 0.0006% |
| 2013 | #9,388 | 8 | 0.0004% |
| 2008 | #13,964 | 5 | 0.0002% |
| 2007 | #10,531 | 7 | 0.0003% |
| 1923 | #4,685 | 5 | 0.0005% |
Name popularity over more than a century, based on Social Security Administration data. Gaps in the chart indicate years when the name does not appear in the published records.
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How the Name Murdoch Shapes Your Personality and Life?
You have psychic power. You can carry on for others with joy. You have a receptive nature and may bear burdens for others. You are pragmatic, thorough, strong-willed, practical and stubborn at times. You are hard working, often martyr to duty. You like home and security above all. Emergencies may raise your intuitive abilities in order to resolve conflict or situation. You become very creative under the pressure, and have quite original ideas to make the best out of it.
You are always looking for a chance to do your own thing, to be your own person, and to have things done your own way.
✦ Murdoch's Deeper Meaning & Tips for Parents Discover Murdoch's symbolic numbers and practical tips for choosing a name that complements your child's birth date.