Declining since 2018, #10,107 for girls today.
Popularity of Meili since 1982
Babies named Meili per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 2009, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Meili's real moment was 2018.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1980s | 7 |
| 1990s | 8 |
| 2000s | 141 |
| 2010s | 177 |
| 2020s | 70 |
Meaning & origin
Meili is a feminine name that first appeared on U.S. records in 1982, a relatively recent addition to the naming pool. Its meaning is often linked to Chinese 'beautiful', though it may also be considered a modern invented name. The name reached its peak popularity in 2018, after which its usage has declined. With a rank of 10,107 in 2025, it remains an uncommon choice, appealing to parents seeking a distinct and melodic name. Despite its rarity, Meili has not been recorded in any U.S. state over the threshold for top-name lists, reflecting its scattered and low-frequency use. Its rising and falling trajectory suggests it emerged as part of the trend toward soft, -i-ending names in the 2000s and 2010s.
Meili has multiple possible origins. It may be derived from Chinese 美丽 (měilì), meaning 'beautiful'. Alternatively, it could be a modern invented name, possibly inspired by Welsh names like Maeli or by the sound of similar names such as Miley or Hailey. Its use in the United States began in the 1980s, and it has seen some popularity as a feminine given name in recent decades, though it remains uncommon.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mei, Li, Mimi
Variants: Mae Li, Meilee
Sibling names for Meili
Names that share Meili's style, for a brother or sister.
