Merrill Unisex

Popularity: #924 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MER-uhl //ˈmɛr.əl//

Origin: English; Irish

Meaning: English: 'sea hill'; Irish: 'from the hill by the sea'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Merrill 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 name made its way into English through the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century, when many French names were adopted into the English language. The evolution of the name reflects a blend of linguistic influences, transitioning from Latin to Old French and finally to Middle English, where it took on various forms before settling into its current usage as Merrill.

Historically, the name Merrill has been associated with notable figures, particularly in the context of medieval and early modern England. One significant milestone is the use of the name in the 12th century, when it appeared in various records as a surname, often linked to geographical locations or occupations.

The name also found its way into literary works, contributing to its recognition in English-speaking cultures. While specific individuals named Merrill may not be widely documented, the name's presence in historical texts indicates its longstanding use.

Culturally, the name Merrill carries connotations of admiration and respect, stemming from its etymological roots. It has been embraced in various traditions, often symbolizing qualities of excellence and distinction.

The name's enduring nature can be attributed to its melodic sound and positive meaning, which resonate across generations. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Merry" have emerged, reflecting a more affectionate or familiar usage of the name.

Overall, Merrill encapsulates a rich historical and cultural tapestry, reflecting the linguistic evolution and societal values of the eras in which it has been used.

Famous people named Merrill

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

We also feature individuals named Merrill 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.

Merrill Lynch is a financial services and wealth management company best known for investment banking, asset management, and brokerage services.

Merrill Markoe is a writer and comedian best known for her work on Late Night with David Letterman, It's My Party, and the book Cool, Calm & Contentious.

Fictional characters named Merrill

The following list of fictional characters named Merrill 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.

Merrill is a fictional character from the video game series Mass Effect. She is a skilled biotic and a member of the Asari race who plays a significant role in the story's development.

Sibling suggestions

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

MasonMilesMalcolmMitchellMarcusMatthew

Similar names

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

MerlinMarlinMerrickMariusMiloMerritMarlowMerryman

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Merrill was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Merrill has ranked as high as #691 nationally, which occurred in 1926, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio.

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

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Merrill 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 Merrill 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 Merrill.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 22 14 8
2024 13 6 7
2023 7 7 0
2022 15 8 7
2021 16 6 10
2020 15 6 9
2019 22 10 12
2018 14 8 6
2017 13 6 7
2016 25 11 14
2015 24 12 12
2014 14 7 7
2013 14 6 8
2012 19 8 11
2011 20 11 9
2010 22 12 10
2009 16 6 10
2008 23 11 12
2007 21 9 12
2006 22 8 14
2005 20 13 7
2004 22 11 11
2003 19 10 9
2002 10 0 10
2001 16 7 9
2000 19 9 10
1999 36 19 17
1998 19 9 10
1997 23 15 8
1996 24 14 10
1995 35 18 17
1994 32 16 16
1993 35 22 13
1992 38 19 19
1991 52 36 16
1990 44 24 20
1989 38 21 17
1988 28 17 11
1987 46 32 14
1986 45 23 22
1985 45 27 18
1984 45 32 13
1983 54 41 13
1982 46 32 14
1981 64 43 21
1980 74 50 24
1979 56 50 6
1978 63 51 12
1977 58 47 11
1976 62 52 10
1975 52 42 10
1974 57 45 12
1973 53 39 14
1972 58 41 17
1971 68 52 16
1970 68 49 19
1969 78 57 21
1968 96 64 32
1967 74 62 12
1966 84 55 29
1965 88 69 19
1964 95 72 23
1963 121 94 27
1962 110 88 22
1961 138 102 36
1960 143 111 32
1959 132 102 30
1958 151 114 37
1957 177 149 28
1956 184 153 31
1955 194 148 46
1954 205 155 50
1953 200 149 51
1952 212 163 49
1951 194 149 45
1950 216 164 52
1949 203 151 52
1948 201 163 38
1947 238 194 44
1946 230 191 39
1945 204 171 33
1944 188 174 14
1943 267 242 25
1942 272 230 42
1941 230 210 20
1940 234 215 19
1939 247 235 12
1938 235 215 20
1937 241 221 20
1936 248 233 15
1935 210 188 22
1934 251 239 12
1933 221 207 14
1932 257 243 14
1931 269 257 12
1930 268 260 8
1929 285 269 16
1928 295 278 17
1927 293 284 9
1926 321 305 16
1925 310 292 18
1924 279 266 13
1923 292 278 14
1922 282 276 6
1921 296 283 13
1920 306 289 17
1919 287 279 8
1918 313 296 17
1917 271 257 14
1916 286 270 16
1915 272 261 11
1914 176 166 10
1913 142 136 6
1912 131 119 12
1911 57 57 0
1910 39 39 0
1909 48 42 6
1908 34 34 0
1907 33 33 0
1906 38 33 5
1905 40 35 5
1904 34 34 0
1903 31 31 0
1902 26 26 0
1901 26 26 0
1900 23 23 0
1899 27 27 0
1898 27 27 0
1897 21 21 0
1896 23 23 0
1895 25 25 0
1894 16 16 0
1893 26 26 0
1892 11 11 0
1891 11 11 0
1890 14 14 0
1889 9 9 0
1888 14 14 0
1887 12 12 0
1886 5 5 0
1885 10 10 0
1884 11 11 0
1883 20 20 0
1882 10 10 0
1881 7 7 0
1880 13 13 0

Top States for Merrill (1983)

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
UT 6
55%
CA 5
45%