Merav Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: meh-RAHV /mɛˈʁav/
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: dove
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Merav has its roots in Hebrew, where it is derived from the word "רָב" (rav), meaning "many" or "abundant." The name appears in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Samuel, where Merav is mentioned as the elder daughter of King Saul. This biblical connection provides a significant historical anchor for the name, linking it to the early monarchy of Israel, which is traditionally dated to around the 11th century BCE.
The narrative surrounding Merav includes themes of loyalty and familial duty, which have contributed to the name's enduring presence in Jewish culture. As the name transitioned into other languages and cultures, it maintained its original Hebrew form and meaning.
The transliteration of Merav into Greek and later into Latin and other European languages preserved its phonetic structure, allowing it to be recognized in various contexts. The name's biblical roots have ensured its continued relevance in Jewish communities, where it is often chosen for its historical and cultural significance.
Culturally, Merav symbolizes strength and abundance, reflecting the qualities associated with its etymological roots. The name has been embraced in various forms of Jewish tradition, including naming ceremonies, where it is often selected for its positive connotations.
Additionally, the name has a diminutive form, Meri, which is sometimes used affectionately. Overall, Merav's historical and cultural resonance, stemming from its biblical origins, has allowed it to endure through centuries, maintaining a connection to the rich tapestry of Jewish heritage.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Merav, 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 Merav. 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 Merav was first seen in the United States in 1986.
Merav has ranked as high as #1239 nationally, which occurred in 1993, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Merav has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Merav 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 Merav was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Merav
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
No state data available for this year.
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 Merav.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 5 |
| 1997 | 5 |
| 1993 | 8 |
| 1986 | 5 |