Declining since 1985.
Popularity of Meridith since 1939
Babies named Meridith per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 7 |
| 1940s | 111 |
| 1950s | 144 |
| 1960s | 227 |
| 1970s | 888 |
| 1980s | 655 |
| 1990s | 357 |
| 2000s | 188 |
| 2010s | 69 |
| 2020s | 6 |
Meaning & origin
Meridith is a feminine spelling variant of Meredith that first appeared in U.S. records in 1939. The name reached its peak popularity in 1974, when it was ranked 356th among American girls. Since 1985, the name has been in a steady decline, and by 2023 it fell outside the top 1000. The spelling Meridith has never been as common as the standard Meredith, and its use has been concentrated among families looking for a distinctive yet familiar sounding name. Though the name has strong Welsh roots, its rare usage in the U.S. means it has no strong regional ties.
Meridith is a variant spelling of Meredith, which comes from the Welsh name Maredudd or Meredydd. The first element is thought to be 'mawr' meaning 'great' or 'mer' meaning 'sea', combined with 'iudd' meaning 'lord' or 'chief'. The name has been used in Wales since medieval times and was adopted in English-speaking countries as a given name for both girls and boys, though in the United States it is now predominantly feminine.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Merry, Meri, Dith, Midge
Sibling names for Meridith
Names that share Meridith's style, for a brother or sister.
