Mercy
Mercy is a girls' name of English origin meaning “compassion, clemency.” It ranked #862 in the United States in 2025. A Puritan virtue name derived from Latin 'merces' via Old French 'merci,' meaning reward or pity.
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how do you pronounce Mercy?
MER-see
where does the name Mercy come from?
An English virtue name from the word mercy; it came into use in the 17th century as one of the less common Puritan virtue names, and it can also anglicize the Spanish Mercedes.
The Puritans favored such abstract virtue names, and Mercy is experiencing a revival alongside Grace and Faith.
how popular is this name?
Mercy has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 18 years since 1881, and fell outside it for 127. It peaked at #582 in 1881, and ranked #862 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #862 |
| 2024 | #845 |
| 2023 | #834 |
| 2022 | #796 |
| 2021 | #780 |
| 2020 | #801 |
| 2019 | #661 |
| 2018 | #725 |
| 2017 | #758 |
| 2016 | #791 |
| 1881 | #582 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Mercy fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Mercy
Mercy Lewis was one of the accusers in the Salem witch trials; modern bearers include Chifundo 'Mercy' James, daughter of Madonna.
who are famous people named Mercy?
- Mercy Otis Warren (American Revolution patriot)
- Mercy Thompson (fictional character by Patricia Briggs)
- Mercy (David Crowder Band song)
what are the nicknames and variants of Mercy?
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Mercy?
what names go well with Mercy?
Sibling names that share Mercy's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Mercy
What does the name Mercy mean?
Mercy means “compassion, clemency”.
What is the origin of the name Mercy?
Mercy comes from the English naming tradition. Related forms include Mercedes.
How popular is the name Mercy?
Mercy ranked #862 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1881, at #582, and it has spent 18 years in the top 1,000 since 1881.
Is Mercy a boy or girl name?
Mercy is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Mercy?
Mercy is pronounced MER-see, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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