Holding steady, #10,107 for girls today.
Popularity of Meri since 1917
Babies named Meri per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 11 |
| 1920s | 20 |
| 1930s | 15 |
| 1940s | 265 |
| 1950s | 543 |
| 1960s | 644 |
| 1970s | 379 |
| 1980s | 180 |
| 1990s | 157 |
| 2000s | 133 |
| 2010s | 91 |
| 2020s | 64 |
Meaning & origin
Meri is a rare feminine name in the United States, first recorded in 1917. Its peak in popularity came in 1961, though even then it was infrequently used. As of 2025, the name ranks 10,107, occurring roughly 1 in 178,585 births, and its trajectory has remained stable over recent decades. Meri's dual heritage as a Finnish short form of Maria and the Finnish word for 'sea' gives it a simple, natural quality. While it has not been widely adopted in the U.S., it retains a consistent, if small, presence, often chosen by families with Finnish connections or those seeking a variant of Mary.
Meri is a Finnish form of Maria, derived from the Hebrew name Miriam. In Finland, Meri also means 'sea' in Finnish, giving it a separate native etymology. The name entered English usage as a variant of Mary, particularly as a diminutive or respelling. It saw modest use in the United States beginning in the early 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Meri
Names that share Meri's style, for a brother or sister.
