Merril Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MER-uhl //ˈmɛr.əl//
Origin: English; Hebrew
Meaning: English: 'of the sea'; Hebrew: 'to be bitter'
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Merril has its roots in the Old French name "Mireille," which is derived from the Latin "Mirella," a diminutive form of "Mirus," meaning "wonderful" or "admirable." This Latin term traces back to the Proto-Indo-European root *mei-, which conveys the sense of admiration or wonder. The name entered the English language through Norman influence in the 11th century, following the Norman Conquest of England, where it was adapted and anglicized into various forms, including Merril.
Historically, the name Merril has been associated with various figures and contexts, although it does not have a singularly prominent historical milestone. It appears in English literature and records from the medieval period onward, often as a surname before being adopted as a given name.
The name's usage can be found in various texts and documents from the 16th century, reflecting the broader trend of adopting surnames as first names during this era. While not linked to a specific biblical figure or saint, the name's etymological roots in wonder and admiration have contributed to its enduring appeal.
Culturally, the name Merril carries connotations of positivity and admiration, aligning with its etymological meaning. It has been used in various literary and artistic contexts, often symbolizing qualities of charm and distinction.
The name's association with the concept of wonder has allowed it to resonate in different cultures, particularly in English-speaking regions. Although diminutive forms like Merrie may exist, the name Merril itself stands as a testament to the linguistic evolution from Latin through Old French to modern English, embodying a sense of historical continuity and cultural significance.
Famous people named Merril
In this section, you will find notable people named Merril. 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 Merril who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Merril 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.
Merril Hoge is a former professional American football player best known for his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers and his work as a sports analyst.
Fictional characters named Merril
The following list of fictional characters named Merril 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.
Merril is a fictional character from the video game series Dragon Age. She is a Dalish elf and a skilled mage who plays a significant role in the story of Dragon Age II.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Merril, 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 Merril. 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 Merril was first seen in the United States in 1910.
Merril has ranked as high as #2338 nationally, which occurred in 1920, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky, and Wisconsin.
In the past 5 years the name Merril has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Merril 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 Merril 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 Merril.
| Year | Total Births | Boy | Girl |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1980 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1974 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1971 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1967 | 11 | 6 | 5 |
| 1964 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1962 | 6 | 6 | 0 |
| 1960 | 12 | 7 | 5 |
| 1957 | 16 | 11 | 5 |
| 1956 | 21 | 12 | 9 |
| 1955 | 14 | 8 | 6 |
| 1954 | 18 | 12 | 6 |
| 1953 | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| 1952 | 16 | 9 | 7 |
| 1951 | 10 | 10 | 0 |
| 1950 | 23 | 11 | 12 |
| 1949 | 25 | 14 | 11 |
| 1948 | 15 | 9 | 6 |
| 1947 | 17 | 9 | 8 |
| 1946 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1945 | 24 | 14 | 10 |
| 1944 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1943 | 25 | 19 | 6 |
| 1942 | 25 | 14 | 11 |
| 1941 | 20 | 14 | 6 |
| 1940 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1939 | 14 | 14 | 0 |
| 1938 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 1937 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1936 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1935 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1934 | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| 1933 | 20 | 20 | 0 |
| 1932 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1931 | 17 | 17 | 0 |
| 1930 | 16 | 16 | 0 |
| 1929 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1928 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 1927 | 18 | 13 | 5 |
| 1926 | 29 | 29 | 0 |
| 1925 | 24 | 24 | 0 |
| 1924 | 31 | 31 | 0 |
| 1923 | 26 | 26 | 0 |
| 1922 | 33 | 28 | 5 |
| 1921 | 32 | 32 | 0 |
| 1920 | 37 | 37 | 0 |
| 1919 | 27 | 27 | 0 |
| 1918 | 29 | 29 | 0 |
| 1917 | 25 | 25 | 0 |
| 1916 | 19 | 19 | 0 |
| 1915 | 23 | 18 | 5 |
| 1914 | 25 | 19 | 6 |
| 1913 | 18 | 18 | 0 |
| 1912 | 13 | 13 | 0 |
| 1910 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
Top States for Merril (1956)
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 |
|---|---|---|
| NY | 5 |