Meridith Girl

Popularity: — · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MER-i-dith //ˈmɛrɪdɪθ//

Origin: English; Welsh

Meaning: English: Great ruler; Welsh: Sea lord

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Meridith is of Welsh origin, derived from the name 'Maredudd,' which is composed of the elements 'mawr' meaning 'great' and 'udd' meaning 'lord' or 'ruler.' The name evolved through various linguistic stages, transitioning from Welsh to Latinized forms and eventually into English. In the Middle Ages, the name Maredudd was borne by notable figures, including several Welsh kings, which contributed to its prominence in Welsh culture.

The anglicized form, Meredith, began to appear in English records around the 16th century, reflecting the broader trend of adapting Welsh names into English usage during this period. Historically, the name has been associated with various significant figures, including Maredudd ap Rhys, a 12th-century Welsh prince, and it appears in literary contexts as well.

The name gained further recognition through its use in the 19th century, particularly in literature and poetry, where it was sometimes employed as a symbol of nobility and strength. The name's association with Welsh heritage and its royal connections helped solidify its place in cultural memory.

Culturally, Meridith carries connotations of leadership and greatness, reflecting its etymological roots. In Welsh tradition, names often embody qualities of strength and valor, and Meridith is no exception.

The name has also been used in various forms of artistic expression, including literature and music, which have contributed to its enduring legacy. While diminutive forms like 'Meri' may be used informally, the name Meridith itself stands as a testament to its rich historical and cultural significance.

Famous people named Meridith

In this section, you will find notable people named Meridith. 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 Meridith who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Meridith 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.

Meridith Baer is a home stager and designer best known for her work in luxury real estate staging, television appearances, and design consulting.

Meridith McGraw is a journalist best known for her reporting at CBS News and contributions to various news outlets.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Meridith, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

MadelineMarilynMiriamMeganMollyMaya

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Meridith. 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.

MeredithMaridithMeridythMireilleMireyaMarissaMelindaMiriam

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Meridith was first seen in the United States in 1917.

Meridith has ranked as high as #1854 nationally, which occurred in 1971, and has been most popular in New York, Texas, California, Illinois, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Meridith has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Meridith 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 Meridith 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 Meridith.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2021 6 0 6
2019 7 0 7
2016 7 0 7
2015 6 0 6
2014 9 0 9
2013 9 0 9
2012 15 0 15
2011 7 0 7
2010 9 0 9
2009 14 0 14
2008 12 0 12
2007 15 0 15
2006 15 0 15
2005 20 0 20
2004 15 0 15
2003 25 0 25
2002 18 0 18
2001 25 0 25
2000 29 0 29
1999 26 0 26
1998 32 0 32
1997 25 0 25
1996 34 0 34
1995 27 0 27
1994 31 0 31
1993 42 0 42
1992 45 0 45
1991 37 0 37
1990 58 0 58
1989 50 0 50
1988 61 0 61
1987 55 0 55
1986 50 0 50
1985 52 0 52
1984 66 0 66
1983 71 0 71
1982 83 0 83
1981 74 0 74
1980 93 0 93
1979 100 0 100
1978 93 0 93
1977 78 0 78
1976 90 0 90
1975 69 0 69
1974 96 0 96
1973 87 0 87
1972 92 0 92
1971 104 0 104
1970 79 0 79
1969 56 0 56
1968 24 0 24
1967 31 0 31
1966 17 0 17
1965 19 0 19
1964 21 0 21
1963 12 0 12
1962 16 0 16
1961 22 0 22
1960 9 0 9
1959 9 0 9
1958 11 0 11
1957 14 0 14
1956 12 0 12
1955 19 0 19
1954 18 0 18
1953 14 0 14
1952 17 0 17
1951 16 5 11
1950 19 0 19
1949 6 0 6
1948 9 0 9
1947 20 0 20
1946 21 5 16
1945 12 0 12
1944 8 0 8
1943 21 0 21
1942 8 0 8
1941 5 0 5
1940 6 0 6
1939 7 0 7
1938 5 5 0
1927 6 6 0
1922 6 6 0
1917 5 5 0

Top States for Meridith (2001)

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
100%