Meiling Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAY-ling /ˈmeɪlɪŋ/
Origin: Chinese; English
Meaning: Chinese: beautiful flower; English: may refer to a combination of 'May' and 'ling'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Meiling has its roots in Chinese, where it is composed of two characters: "mei" (美), meaning "beautiful," and "ling" (玲), which can mean "delicate" or "tinkling of jade." This combination evokes a sense of beauty and grace, and the name is often given to girls in Chinese-speaking cultures. The use of such compound names is common in Chinese naming conventions, where the meaning of each character contributes to the overall significance of the name.
The name has been transliterated into various forms when adopted into other languages, but it retains its original meaning in its native context. Historically, the use of names like Meiling can be traced back to ancient Chinese literature and poetry, where beauty and elegance were highly valued traits.
During the Tang Dynasty (618-907 CE), the appreciation for poetic names became prominent, and names that conveyed aesthetic qualities were favored. The cultural significance of names in China is profound, often reflecting familial hopes and societal values.
As a result, names like Meiling have been passed down through generations, embodying ideals of beauty and delicacy. In addition to its aesthetic appeal, the name Meiling carries cultural resonance in various forms of Chinese art and literature, where characters with such names often symbolize grace and virtue.
The name may also be associated with traditional Chinese festivals and celebrations, where beauty and harmony are central themes. While diminutive forms or variations exist, such as Mei or Ling, the full name Meiling encapsulates a rich tapestry of cultural meaning, making it a cherished choice in Chinese heritage.
Famous people named Meiling
In this section, you will find notable people named Meiling. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Meiling who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Meiling who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Meiling Li is a fashion designer best known for her work in haute couture and her contributions to the fashion industry in China.
Meiling Chen is a Chinese-American artist best known for her contemporary paintings and installations.
Fictional characters named Meiling
The following list of fictional characters named Meiling is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Meiling is a fictional character from the video game series Touhou Project. She is the gatekeeper of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, known for her martial arts skills and dedication to her duties.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Meiling, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Meiling. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Meiling was first seen in the United States in 1960.
Meiling has ranked as high as #11200 nationally, which occurred in 2005, and has been most popular in California.
In the past 5 years the name Meiling has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Meiling is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Meiling was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Meiling.
| Year | Total Births | Girl |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 5 |
| 2024 | 7 | 7 |
| 2023 | 6 | 6 |
| 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| 2020 | 6 | 6 |
| 2019 | 5 | 5 |
| 2018 | 9 | 9 |
| 2017 | 6 | 6 |
| 2016 | 5 | 5 |
| 2015 | 13 | 13 |
| 2014 | 10 | 10 |
| 2013 | 10 | 10 |
| 2012 | 11 | 11 |
| 2011 | 5 | 5 |
| 2010 | 8 | 8 |
| 2009 | 15 | 15 |
| 2008 | 13 | 13 |
| 2007 | 12 | 12 |
| 2006 | 7 | 7 |
| 2005 | 17 | 17 |
| 2004 | 10 | 10 |
| 2003 | 6 | 6 |
| 2002 | 15 | 15 |
| 2001 | 12 | 12 |
| 2000 | 6 | 6 |
| 1999 | 11 | 11 |
| 1996 | 5 | 5 |
| 1992 | 9 | 9 |
| 1990 | 11 | 11 |
| 1988 | 6 | 6 |
| 1987 | 5 | 5 |
| 1986 | 6 | 6 |
| 1985 | 5 | 5 |
| 1984 | 10 | 10 |
| 1983 | 11 | 11 |
| 1982 | 6 | 6 |
| 1981 | 9 | 9 |
| 1980 | 7 | 7 |
| 1979 | 9 | 9 |
| 1977 | 6 | 6 |
| 1976 | 8 | 8 |
| 1975 | 6 | 6 |
| 1974 | 5 | 5 |
| 1966 | 5 | 5 |
| 1960 | 6 | 6 |
Top States for Meiling (2007)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 5 |