Mercy
Mercy is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Compassion, leniency, or forgiveness.
Origin and history
Mercy is an English virtue name originating from the Old French 'merci' and Latin 'merces', meaning compassion or reward. Historically favored by the Puritans in the 17th century, it continues to enjoy steady usage as a classic and gentle choice in the United States.
Popularity in the United States
10,632 babies in the United States have been named Mercy since 1880. It ranks #1576 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #786.
States where it is most popular
- CA (22.5 %)
- TX (14.9 %)
- AZ (5.9 %)
- FL (5 %)
- NY (4.5 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 53 |
| 1890-1900 | 25 |
| 1900-1910 | 61 |
| 1910-1920 | 187 |
| 1920-1930 | 359 |
| 1930-1940 | 368 |
| 1940-1950 | 397 |
| 1950-1960 | 494 |
| 1960-1970 | 371 |
| 1970-1980 | 531 |
| 1980-1990 | 421 |
| 1990-2000 | 677 |
| 2000-2010 | 1,533 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,136 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,019 |
Famous people named Mercy
- Mercy Otis Warren: Writer, Historian
Fun facts
- Mercy was among the core virtue names adopted by English Puritans during the 16th and 17th centuries.
- Mercy appears as a notable character in John Bunyan's 1684 classic religious allegory, The Pilgrim's Progress.