A 1940s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Merrily since 1936
Babies named Merrily per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 12 |
| 1940s | 638 |
| 1950s | 171 |
| 1960s | 111 |
| 1970s | 67 |
| 1980s | 17 |
| 1990s | 5 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 11 |
Meaning & origin
Merrily is an English name derived from the word 'merry', given to girls with increasing frequency in recent years. First recorded in 1936, it peaked in popularity in 1942 during its early use but then declined sharply. After decades of obscurity, the name began a resurgence in 2022 and is currently on the rise. In 2025, it ranked 14,942, with a 1-in-321,453 birth rate, reflecting its rarity. The name is not strongly associated with any particular state, appearing infrequently across the country. Its modern coinage and cheerful meaning make it a distinctive choice.
Merrily is a modern coinage formed from the English word 'merry', meaning cheerful or joyful, combined with the popular suffix '-ly'. It first appeared in the United States in the mid-20th century, likely inspired by the adverb 'merrily' as a given name. The name saw a modest peak in the 1940s and has been used sparingly since, with a recent uptick in popularity.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Merri, Merry
Sibling names for Merrily
Names that share Merrily's style, for a brother or sister.
