Declining since 1985, #8,362 for girls today.
Popularity of Meryl since 1892
Babies named Meryl per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 31 | 0 |
| 1900s | 49 | 0 |
| 1910s | 188 | 62 |
| 1920s | 315 | 131 |
| 1930s | 290 | 97 |
| 1940s | 627 | 83 |
| 1950s | 1,283 | 44 |
| 1960s | 611 | 15 |
| 1970s | 199 | 0 |
| 1980s | 663 | 0 |
| 1990s | 335 | 0 |
| 2000s | 203 | 0 |
| 2010s | 263 | 0 |
| 2020s | 110 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Meryl first appeared on U.S. records in 1892, but it truly entered the mainstream after actress Meryl Streep rose to fame in the 1970s. The name reached its peak rank of #8362 in 1956 and has been gradually falling in use since 1985. Despite its decline, the name retains a distinguished, artistic aura, with a 1-in-133,939 current usage rate. Meryl has never been concentrated in any particular state, making it a quietly national choice.
Meryl is a feminine name derived from the Irish Muirgheal, composed of muir meaning 'sea' and geal meaning 'bright' or 'shining'. It was popularized in the 20th century as a given name separate from the surname Merrile. The name gained wide recognition through actress Meryl Streep, born Mary Louise Streep, who adopted Meryl as a stage name.
Where Meryl 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.
“Meryl” around the world
Where Meryl lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
45
babies in 2024
Ireland
3
babies in 2025
Sources: INSEE (France) · CSO Ireland (Ireland).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mer, Mery
Sibling names for Meryl
Names that share Meryl's style, for a brother or sister.
