Meril Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MER-il /ˈmɛr.ɪl/
Origin: English; Hebrew
Meaning: English: 'of the sea'; Hebrew: 'bitter'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Meril is believed to have roots in the Hebrew name Miriam, which is thought to mean "sea of bitterness" or "wished-for child." The name Miriam was adopted into Greek as Maria and subsequently into Latin as Maria, which became widely used in various forms across Europe. The transition into English occurred through the Old French form Marie, particularly during the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which introduced many French names into the English lexicon.
Meril may also be linked to the Old English word "mere," meaning "lake" or "sea," suggesting a connection to nature and water. Historically, the name Miriam is significant in biblical contexts, as it is borne by the sister of Moses and Aaron, a prominent figure in the Exodus narrative.
The name has been used by various saints throughout the centuries, contributing to its enduring presence in Christian tradition. The Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible, completed in the late 4th century, helped solidify the name's usage in Christian contexts, as it frequently appears in religious texts and liturgy.
Culturally, names derived from Miriam have been associated with strength and resilience, particularly due to the biblical Miriam's role as a leader and protector of her people. The name Meril, while less common, carries a similar resonance, evoking themes of hope and longing.
Additionally, diminutive forms such as Mira have emerged in various cultures, further enriching the name's legacy and connection to its historical roots.
Famous people named Meril
In this section, you will find notable people named Meril. 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 Meril who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Meril 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.
Meril Streep is an actress best known for The Devil Wears Prada, Mamma Mia!, and Sophie's Choice.
Meril D. is a musician best known for her work in the Indian music industry.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Meril, 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 Meril. 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 Meril was first seen in the United States in 1924.
Meril has ranked as high as #1020 nationally, which occurred in 1953, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Meril has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Meril 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 Meril was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Meril
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 Meril.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1953 | 5 |
| 1951 | 5 |
| 1943 | 5 |
| 1924 | 5 |