Holding steady.
Popularity of Merrilee since 1923
Babies named Merrilee per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 27 |
| 1930s | 62 |
| 1940s | 567 |
| 1950s | 578 |
| 1960s | 301 |
| 1970s | 203 |
| 1980s | 88 |
| 1990s | 24 |
| 2000s | 11 |
| 2010s | 5 |
| 2020s | 5 |
Meaning & origin
Merrilee is a distinctive modern name that combines the cheerful adjective 'merry' with the toponymic 'lee.' It first appeared in U.S. records in 1923, but its most notable period was the 1940s, with its peak year in 1942. Since then, its usage has remained stable but low, reflecting its status as a rare and quaint choice. The name has not been recorded among the top 1000 for decades, making it an uncommon pick likely to stand out. Though no official state popularity is available from the digest, its overall trajectory suggests a steady but minimal presence.
Merrilee is a modern coinage combining the English word 'merry' (meaning cheerful or joyful) with the name or suffix Lee, which itself derives from Old English 'leah' meaning 'clearing' or 'meadow'. It emerged in the early 20th century, fitting a trend of compound names that convey positive emotions or natural imagery.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Merri, Lee, Mer
Sibling names for Merrilee
Names that share Merrilee's style, for a brother or sister.
