Meritt is a unique and distinctive female given name of American origin. Its meaning and history are somewhat unclear due to its rarity, but it is believed to have been created as a feminine form of the English surname Merritt.
The surname Merritt is derived from an Old French word, "merlet," which means "blackbird." It was originally a nickname given to someone who had a fondness for blackbirds or resembled one in some way. The name became common in England during the Middle Ages and was eventually adopted as a given name for both boys and girls.
The first known use of Meritt as a female given name appears to have been in the United States in the late 19th century. It is possible that it was created by parents who were looking for a distinctive and memorable name for their daughter, and chose Merritt with an additional "i" to make it more feminine.
Today, Meritt remains a rare but unique female given name. According to data from the Social Security Administration in the United States, only around 500 babies have been named Meritt since records began in the early 20th century. Despite its rarity, Meritt has a certain charm and elegance that makes it appealing as a given name.
In summary, Meritt is a female given name of American origin that was likely created as a feminine form of the English surname Merritt. Its meaning and history are somewhat unclear due to its rarity, but it is believed to have been derived from an Old French word for "blackbird." Today, Meritt remains a rare but distinctive female given name.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Meritt has seen a varied level of popularity over the past century in the United States. In the early 20th century, specifically in 1920, there were 5 births with the name Meritt. This number remained consistent for nearly seven decades, with another 5 babies named Meritt born in 1992.
However, the popularity of the name began to fluctuate more significantly from the early 2010s onwards. In 2013, there were 6 births with the name Meritt, marking a slight increase from previous years. This figure dropped back down to 5 in 2016 but then rose again to 7 in 2018.
Interestingly, since 2018, the number of babies named Meritt has stabilized at 5 births per year, with this figure recorded annually between 2019 and 2023. This consistency suggests that the name Meritt has found a steady but modest level of popularity in recent years among parents in the United States.
In total, based on these statistics, there have been 48 babies named Meritt born in the United States since 1920. While this number may not indicate widespread popularity, it does demonstrate that the name Meritt has maintained a consistent, if modest, presence in U.S. naming trends over the past century.