Merari is a unique and captivating name of Hebrew origin, meaning "rebellious" or "-contentious." It is derived from the Hebrew word "marar," which can be translated as "to contend" or "to strive." This name holds significant historical importance in Jewish tradition, as it is associated with one of the clans of Levi, the tribe of priests in ancient Israel. The clan of Merari was responsible for the care and transportation of the Tabernacle, the sacred tent that housed the Ark of the Covenant during the Israelites' wandering in the wilderness.
The name Merari has seen significant fluctuations in popularity over time. It started with a consistent average of around five births per year from 1953 to 1974. However, there was a notable spike starting in 1975, reaching a peak of 66 births in 2004. The name maintained high popularity until around 2011, with more than 35 births per year on average. Since then, the number of births has been decreasing, with 2023 showing a significant drop to 21 births. Overall, from 1953 to 2023, there have been a total of 1326 births recorded for the name Merari.