Meri
Meri is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Sea (Finnish) or wished-for child / rebellious (Hebrew via Mary).
Origin and history
Meri is a feminine given name with multiple linguistic roots, functioning as a Finnish word name meaning 'sea' and as a diminutive or variant of Mary. In the United States, it has been used consistently as a rare alternative to Mary or Merry.
Popularity in the United States
2,502 babies in the United States have been named Meri since 1880. It ranks #3531 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2037.
States where it is most popular
- CA (30 %)
- NY (26.8 %)
- MI (10.5 %)
- IL (9.6 %)
- TX (8.8 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 11 |
| 1920-1930 | 20 |
| 1930-1940 | 15 |
| 1940-1950 | 265 |
| 1950-1960 | 543 |
| 1960-1970 | 644 |
| 1970-1980 | 379 |
| 1980-1990 | 180 |
| 1990-2000 | 157 |
| 2000-2010 | 133 |
| 2010-2019 | 91 |
| 2020-2029 | 64 |
Famous people named Meri
- Meri Brown: Television Personality, Author
Fun facts
- In Finland, Meri is a direct vocabulary word meaning 'sea' and is a popular given name.
- Meri has remained a rare choice in the U.S., with just over 2,500 total recorded births since 1880.