Meili is a Chinese given name of beautiful origin and significance. It is derived from the Chinese characters "美" (měi), which means "beautiful", and "李" (lì), which refers to the plum tree or apricot tree.
The name Meili is often given to girls, although it can also be used for boys in some cases. In ancient China, it was believed that beautiful women were favored by gods and had good fortune. Thus, parents would give their daughters this name hoping they would grow up to be attractive and lucky.
Historically, the name Meili has been associated with several notable figures in Chinese history and literature. One famous example is Meili, a concubine of Emperor Wu of Han, who was known for her intelligence and wisdom as well as her beauty. Another notable figure is Meili, a character in the classic novel "Dream of the Red Chamber," which is considered one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature.
In modern times, Meili remains a popular choice among parents in China, with many hoping that their daughters will embody the qualities suggested by their name. It has also gained international recognition due to its beauty and positive connotations. Overall, Meili is a charming and meaningful name with deep roots in Chinese culture and history.
The name Meili has seen varying popularity in the United States over the past four decades, with a total of 380 babies given this name during that period.
In 1982, there were only 7 births registered with the name Meili. However, by 1999, this number had grown to 8 births. The year 2003 marked a significant increase in popularity, with 19 babies being named Meili. This was followed by another peak in 2006, with 20 births.
The years 2007 and 2008 saw consistent popularity for the name, with 16 and 17 births respectively. In 2009, there were a total of 23 babies named Meili, another notable peak in its popularity.
However, after 2009, the number of births began to fluctuate more widely. Between 2010 and 2014, the number of babies named Meili ranged from a low of 13 in 2014 to a high of 19 in 2010.
From 2015 onwards, there has been an upward trend in the popularity of the name Meili. Between 2015 and 2023, the number of births increased from 13 to 14 annually until reaching a recent peak of 23 births in 2018.
In 2021, there was a decrease in popularity, with only 7 babies named Meili. However, this trend appears to have reversed in the last two years, with 14 births each in both 2022 and 2023.
Overall, while the popularity of the name Meili has varied over time, it has consistently been given to a significant number of newborns in the United States each year.