Meritt Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MER-it //ˈmɛrɪt//
Origin: English; Latin
Meaning: boundary gate (English); merit, worth (Latin)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Meritt is derived from the Old French word "merite," which translates to "merit" or "worth." This term itself has roots in the Latin word "meritum," meaning "deserved" or "earned." The transition from Latin to Old French occurred during the medieval period, particularly as the Norman Conquest in the 11th century facilitated the integration of French vocabulary into the English language. The name Meritt, as a variant of Merritt, emerged in English-speaking contexts, particularly in the 19th century, as surnames began to be adopted as given names, reflecting a trend of using surnames to convey familial or ancestral significance.
Historically, the name has been associated with various notable figures, including individuals in the arts and sciences, although specific records of these figures may not always be well-documented. The use of Meritt and its variants can be traced back to the practice of naming children after virtues or qualities that parents wished to instill, a common practice in many cultures.
This aligns with the broader tradition in English naming practices where names reflecting moral or ethical qualities were favored. Culturally, the name Meritt resonates with themes of achievement and virtue, embodying the idea of deserving recognition or reward.
This association with merit and worth has allowed the name to maintain a certain timelessness, appealing to those who value the underlying meanings. The diminutive form "Merry" may also be noted, as it carries a connotation of joy and happiness, further enriching the name's cultural significance.
Overall, Meritt reflects a blend of linguistic evolution and cultural values that have contributed to its endurance in the English-speaking world.
Famous people named Meritt
In this section, you will find notable people named Meritt. 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 Meritt who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Meritt 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.
Meritt Butrick is an actor best known for Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and The Incredible Hulk.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Meritt, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Meritt was first seen in the United States in 1920.
Meritt has ranked as high as #11539 nationally, which occurred in 2018, and has been most popular in .
In the past 5 years the name Meritt has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Meritt 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 Meritt 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 Meritt.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| 2024 | 13 | 7 | 6 |
| 2023 | 13 | 5 | 8 |
| 2022 | 11 | 5 | 6 |
| 2021 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2020 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 2019 | 12 | 5 | 7 |
| 2018 | 17 | 7 | 10 |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2016 | 15 | 5 | 10 |
| 2015 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
| 2014 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2013 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1997 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| 1992 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1920 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
Top States for Meritt
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.
No state data available for this year.