Merritt
Merritt is a boy's name of English origin.
Meaning
Boundary gate or worthy and deserving.
Origin and history
Merritt is a unisex name of English origin, historically derived from a surname or place name meaning boundary gate or worthy/deserving. While originally more common as a masculine name in the United States, it has seen a steady revival in recent years. Today, it offers a sophisticated, gender-neutral vintage feel.
Popularity in the United States
6,151 babies in the United States have been named Merritt since 1880. It ranks #1530 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1414.
States where it is most popular
- NY (22.4 %)
- PA (13.7 %)
- CA (9.5 %)
- TX (7.8 %)
- IN (6.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 121 |
| 1890-1900 | 168 |
| 1900-1910 | 131 |
| 1910-1920 | 650 |
| 1920-1930 | 966 |
| 1930-1940 | 638 |
| 1940-1950 | 574 |
| 1950-1960 | 469 |
| 1960-1970 | 333 |
| 1970-1980 | 215 |
| 1980-1990 | 208 |
| 1990-2000 | 194 |
| 2000-2010 | 268 |
| 2010-2019 | 692 |
| 2020-2029 | 524 |
Famous people named Merritt
- Merritt Mathis: Athlete, Soccer Player
Fun facts
- The surname originally referred to someone living near a boundary gate (from Old English 'mære' and 'geat').
- Its closeness in sound to the English vocabulary word 'merit' adds a subtle virtue-name quality.