Holding steady, #10,107 for girls today.
Popularity of Merry since 1898
Babies named Merry per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1890s | 5 |
| 1900s | 30 |
| 1910s | 209 |
| 1920s | 495 |
| 1930s | 661 |
| 1940s | 2,246 |
| 1950s | 2,972 |
| 1960s | 1,833 |
| 1970s | 698 |
| 1980s | 436 |
| 1990s | 293 |
| 2000s | 200 |
| 2010s | 206 |
| 2020s | 85 |
Meaning & origin
Merry is a rare English word name that directly evokes cheerfulness. It first appeared in U.S. records in 1898, but its most popular era was the 1950s, peaking in 1954. Since then, its usage has been extremely low, and as of 2025 its rank of 10,107th makes it an uncommon choice. The name has remained stable in its rarity, never experiencing a revival. While it has no strong association with any specific U.S. state, it carries a simple, upbeat meaning that appeals to parents seeking a positive virtue name.
Merry derives from the Old English word 'myrige', meaning 'pleasant' or 'delightful'. It has been used as a given name since at least the 19th century and was popularized in part by the character Merry in J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings' (1954). However, it has never been among the most common names.
Where Merry is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Merry” around the world
Where Merry lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Variants: Merrie
Sibling names for Merry
Names that share Merry's style, for a brother or sister.
