Merideth Girl
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MER-ih-deth //ˈmɛrɪdɛθ//
Origin: English; Welsh
Meaning: English: Great ruler; Welsh: Sea lord
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Merideth is derived from the Welsh name 'Meredydd', which is composed of the elements 'meryd', meaning 'sea', and 'dyd', meaning 'day'. This etymological root reflects a connection to nature, particularly the sea and the cycle of day and night.
The name underwent various transformations as it was adopted into different languages and cultures, eventually becoming the Anglicized form 'Meredith' in the English-speaking world. The transition from Welsh to English likely occurred during the Middle Ages, as the Norman Conquest in the 11th century facilitated the blending of Welsh and Anglo-Norman influences in England.
Historically, the name Meredith has been associated with notable figures in Welsh history, including the 12th-century prince Meredydd ap Rhys, who was a significant figure during the period of Welsh resistance against Norman encroachment. Additionally, the name appears in various medieval texts, contributing to its cultural significance in Wales.
The name's presence in literature can also be traced to the works of Geoffrey of Monmouth in the 12th century, who chronicled the history of Britain, including Welsh legends. Culturally, the name Meredith has been embraced for its lyrical quality and connection to the natural world, resonating with themes of beauty and strength.
It has been used in various artistic expressions, including literature and music, which further solidified its place in cultural memory. The name has also been associated with the concept of 'sea day', evoking imagery of tranquility and the passage of time.
Diminutive forms such as 'Meri' have emerged, reflecting a softer, affectionate variant of the name, though the primary form remains significant in its own right.
Famous people named Merideth
In this section, you will find notable people named Merideth. 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 Merideth who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Merideth 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.
Merideth Baer is a real estate agent best known for her work in luxury home staging and design.
Merideth McNeal is a television producer best known for her work on reality shows and documentaries.
Fictional characters named Merideth
The following list of fictional characters named Merideth 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.
Merideth is a fictional character from the TV series The Good Wife. She is a key supporting character who navigates the complexities of law and personal relationships alongside the main characters.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Merideth, 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 Merideth. 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 Merideth was first seen in the United States in 1916.
Merideth has ranked as high as #2702 nationally, which occurred in 1977, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Michigan, Ohio, and New York.
In the past 5 years the name Merideth has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Merideth 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 Merideth 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 Merideth.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2022 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2020 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2018 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2015 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2014 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2012 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 2011 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 2010 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2009 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 2008 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 2007 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 2006 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 2005 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 2004 | 24 | 0 | 24 |
| 2003 | 18 | 0 | 18 |
| 2002 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 2001 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 2000 | 26 | 0 | 26 |
| 1999 | 30 | 0 | 30 |
| 1998 | 37 | 0 | 37 |
| 1997 | 32 | 0 | 32 |
| 1996 | 27 | 0 | 27 |
| 1995 | 26 | 0 | 26 |
| 1994 | 27 | 0 | 27 |
| 1993 | 25 | 0 | 25 |
| 1992 | 30 | 0 | 30 |
| 1991 | 23 | 0 | 23 |
| 1990 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 1989 | 32 | 0 | 32 |
| 1988 | 43 | 0 | 43 |
| 1987 | 36 | 0 | 36 |
| 1986 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 1985 | 44 | 0 | 44 |
| 1984 | 36 | 0 | 36 |
| 1983 | 39 | 0 | 39 |
| 1982 | 42 | 0 | 42 |
| 1981 | 38 | 0 | 38 |
| 1980 | 42 | 0 | 42 |
| 1979 | 58 | 0 | 58 |
| 1978 | 45 | 0 | 45 |
| 1977 | 61 | 0 | 61 |
| 1976 | 50 | 0 | 50 |
| 1975 | 29 | 0 | 29 |
| 1974 | 42 | 0 | 42 |
| 1973 | 48 | 0 | 48 |
| 1972 | 61 | 0 | 61 |
| 1971 | 57 | 0 | 57 |
| 1970 | 43 | 0 | 43 |
| 1969 | 31 | 0 | 31 |
| 1968 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1967 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1966 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1965 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1964 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1963 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1962 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1961 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1959 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1958 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1957 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1956 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1955 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1954 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1953 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1952 | 8 | 0 | 8 |
| 1951 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| 1950 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1949 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| 1948 | 13 | 0 | 13 |
| 1947 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| 1946 | 17 | 0 | 17 |
| 1945 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1944 | 10 | 0 | 10 |
| 1943 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1942 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 1941 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| 1940 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1939 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1938 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 1934 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1927 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1916 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
Top States for Merideth (1999)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| TX | 5 |