Meredith is a feminine given name of Welsh origin. It is derived from the Welsh name Meredydd, which is composed of the elements mer meaning "great" or "sea," and iudd meaning "lord." Thus, Meredith means "great lord." The name has been in use in Wales for centuries and was popularized in England during the Victorian era. Today, it remains a popular choice among parents seeking unique yet timeless names for their daughters.
The name Meredith experienced a significant surge in popularity from the mid-20th century onwards, with a total of 76,505 babies being named Meredith between 1895 and 2023. The peak occurred in 1969, with 1092 births, and there has been steady growth in its usage since then. However, it's interesting to note that there was a significant drop after the late 1970s, reaching a low of 423 births in 2012, before recovering slightly since then. Despite these fluctuations, Meredith remains a well-established and popular name choice for baby girls.