Meryl
Meryl is a girl's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Bright sea or shining sea.
Origin and history
Meryl is a given name of Celtic origin, often considered a variant of Muriel, which derives from Gaelic elements meaning 'bright sea'. It gained widespread recognition in the late 20th century, largely associated with acclaimed actress Meryl Streep. In the United States, it remains an uncommon yet classic choice for females.
Popularity in the United States
5,167 babies in the United States have been named Meryl since 1880. It ranks #2407 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1991.
States where it is most popular
- NY (68.6 %)
- NJ (9.1 %)
- PA (6.5 %)
- MA (5.2 %)
- CA (4.3 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 31 |
| 1900-1910 | 49 |
| 1910-1920 | 188 |
| 1920-1930 | 315 |
| 1930-1940 | 290 |
| 1940-1950 | 627 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,283 |
| 1960-1970 | 611 |
| 1970-1980 | 199 |
| 1980-1990 | 663 |
| 1990-2000 | 335 |
| 2000-2010 | 203 |
| 2010-2019 | 263 |
| 2020-2029 | 110 |
Famous people named Meryl
- Meryl Streep: Actress
- Meryl Davis: Ice Dancer, Athlete
Fun facts
- Meryl is historically derived as an Anglicized contraction of the traditional Irish name Muriel.
- The name is heavily associated in modern culture with Oscar-winning American actress Meryl Streep.