Meredith
Meredith is a girl's name of Welsh origin.
Meaning
Great lord, ruler, or sea lord.
Origin and history
Meredith originated as a Welsh masculine name derived from roots meaning great or lord. Over time, it transitioned into a primarily feminine name in the United States, peaking in popularity during the late 20th century. It remains a well-established classical choice for girls in the U.S.
Popularity in the United States
77,787 babies in the United States have been named Meredith since 1880. It ranks #449 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #525.
States where it is most popular
- TX (9 %)
- NY (7.1 %)
- NC (6.4 %)
- CA (5.9 %)
- PA (5.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 6 |
| 1900-1910 | 85 |
| 1910-1920 | 464 |
| 1920-1930 | 892 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,300 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,901 |
| 1950-1960 | 2,889 |
| 1960-1970 | 3,927 |
| 1970-1980 | 15,840 |
| 1980-1990 | 19,204 |
| 1990-2000 | 12,779 |
| 2000-2010 | 8,889 |
| 2010-2019 | 5,147 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,464 |
Famous people named Meredith
- Meredith Vieira: Journalist, Television Host
- Meredith Baxter: Actress
Nicknames
Merry, Edie, Meri
Fun facts
- Originally used exclusively as a male name in Wales, Meredith became predominantly used for females in the United States by the mid-20th century.
- The name gained widespread contemporary recognition as the lead character Meredith Grey in the medical drama Grey's Anatomy.