Merida Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MER-i-da //ˈmɛrɪdə//
Origin: Scottish; Spanish
Meaning: Scottish: 'one who has achieved a great deal'; Spanish: 'meritorious'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Merida has its roots in the Latin word "meritum," which translates to "merit" or "worth." This Latin term evolved through various linguistic stages, influencing the development of the name in different cultures. The name is also associated with the Spanish city of Mérida, which was founded by the Romans in 25 BCE as Emerita Augusta, a settlement for retired soldiers.
The connection to this city imbues the name with historical significance, as it reflects the Roman influence in the Iberian Peninsula and the subsequent cultural developments in the region. Throughout history, the name Merida has been linked to various cultural and historical milestones.
The city of Mérida in Spain is notable for its well-preserved Roman ruins, which include a theater and an aqueduct, showcasing the architectural prowess of ancient Rome. The name has also been used in literature and folklore, contributing to its cultural resonance.
In the 21st century, the name gained further visibility through the Disney animated film "Brave," released in 2012, which features a strong female protagonist named Merida, thereby reinforcing themes of bravery and independence. Symbolically, the name Merida is often associated with qualities such as strength, valor, and worthiness, reflecting its etymological roots.
The name's connection to a historical city and its representation in popular culture have helped maintain its significance over time. While diminutive forms or variations may exist, the name Merida itself stands out for its unique heritage and the rich cultural narratives that surround it.
Famous people named Merida
In this section, you will find notable people named Merida. 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 Merida who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Merida 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.
Merida is a fictional character and the protagonist of the Disney-Pixar film Brave, known for her archery skills and strong-willed personality.
Fictional characters named Merida
The following list of fictional characters named Merida 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.
Merida is a fictional character from the animated film Brave. She is a skilled archer and the headstrong daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor, known for her desire to forge her own path.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Merida, 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 Merida. 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 Merida was first seen in the United States in 1916.
Merida has ranked as high as #1270 nationally, which occurred in 2017, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Florida, Ohio, and Indiana.
In the past 5 years the name Merida has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Merida 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 Merida was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Merida (2024)
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.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 12 | |
| TX | 7 | |
| MO | 5 | |
| WA | 5 |
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 Merida.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 73 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2022 | 80 |
| 2021 | 90 |
| 2020 | 91 |
| 2019 | 85 |
| 2018 | 85 |
| 2017 | 116 |
| 2016 | 102 |
| 2015 | 99 |
| 2014 | 103 |
| 2013 | 110 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2001 | 5 |
| 1996 | 8 |
| 1992 | 7 |
| 1990 | 5 |
| 1988 | 6 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1983 | 5 |
| 1981 | 10 |
| 1980 | 11 |
| 1979 | 10 |
| 1978 | 7 |
| 1977 | 5 |
| 1976 | 6 |
| 1975 | 10 |
| 1973 | 10 |
| 1972 | 11 |
| 1968 | 11 |
| 1967 | 6 |
| 1966 | 9 |
| 1965 | 9 |
| 1964 | 5 |
| 1963 | 9 |
| 1961 | 8 |
| 1960 | 9 |
| 1959 | 8 |
| 1957 | 12 |
| 1956 | 7 |
| 1953 | 8 |
| 1952 | 6 |
| 1951 | 9 |
| 1949 | 13 |
| 1948 | 7 |
| 1947 | 7 |
| 1945 | 6 |
| 1943 | 11 |
| 1942 | 8 |
| 1941 | 7 |
| 1940 | 6 |
| 1939 | 6 |
| 1938 | 5 |
| 1937 | 10 |
| 1936 | 7 |
| 1935 | 5 |
| 1933 | 7 |
| 1932 | 6 |
| 1929 | 7 |
| 1924 | 5 |
| 1921 | 5 |
| 1916 | 6 |