Merrill is a unique and distinctive given name of American origin. It is derived from the English surname Merrill, which is of Old English origin. The surname Merrill is believed to have been originally an occupational name for a merchant or a seller of goods in a market.
The meaning of the name Merrill is not entirely clear, but it is thought to be derived from the Old English word "merc", which means "market". Therefore, the name Merrill may have been given to someone who was involved in commerce or trade. Alternatively, Merrill may have been a habitational name, derived from any of several places called Merrill in England.
The first recorded spelling of the name Merrill is believed to be that of Richard de Merrell, which was dated 1273, in the "Hundred Rolls" of Norfolk. This suggests that the name has been in use for at least seven centuries.
Despite its long history and distinctive origin, Merrill remains relatively rare as a given name. It is not often seen on birth certificates or baby name lists, making it an unusual choice for parents looking for a unique and memorable name for their child. However, those who choose the name Merrill are likely to be drawn to its historic significance and its association with commerce and trade.
The name Merrill has seen a varied history of popularity in the United States over the past century, with fluctuations ranging from single-digit occurrences to reaching its peak at nearly five dozen newborns in a single year.
In the early 20th century, Merrill was quite uncommon. Between 1905 and 1927, there were only 6 births per year on average. However, the name began to gain traction during the late 1920s and throughout the 1930s, with birth numbers rising steadily each decade.
The peak of Merrill's popularity occurred in the years immediately following World War II. Between 1945 and 1953, there were over 40 births annually on average. The year 1952 marked an all-time high for the name Merrill with a striking total of 51 newborns.
Unfortunately, Merrill's popularity began to decline sharply after its peak in the mid-1950s. From 1956 onwards, birth numbers dropped significantly, hovering between 10 and 40 annually until the late 1970s when they dipped below ten births per year.
Since then, Merrill has continued to be a rare name in the United States. Nevertheless, there are still some years where more than five newborns bear this distinctive moniker.
In total, over the past century from 1905 to 2022, approximately 2062 babies have been named Merrill at birth in the United States.