Merritt
Merritt is a unisex name of English origin meaning “boundary gate, deserving.”
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how do you pronounce Merritt?
MARE-it
where does the name Merritt come from?
A name of British origin, traditionally male and now also used for girls.
Merritt comes from the Old English 'maere' (boundary) and 'geat' (gate), but its sound naturally evokes 'merit,' suggesting worthiness and earned distinction. It has a crisp, professional quality that works well for any gender. The name projects quiet competence and integrity without pretension.
how popular is this name?
Merritt has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 72 years since 1880, and fell outside it for 3. It peaked at #394 in 1899, and ranked #985 in 1954.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 1954 | #985 |
| 1953 | #950 |
| 1950 | #973 |
| 1949 | #935 |
| 1948 | #910 |
| 1947 | #938 |
| 1946 | #848 |
| 1945 | #850 |
| 1940 | #862 |
| 1930 | #730 |
| 1920 | #609 |
| 1910 | #822 |
| 1899 | #394 |
| 1890 | #566 |
| 1880 | #403 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Merritt fell outside the top 1,000.
who are famous people named Merritt?
- Merritt Butrick (American actor)
- Merritt Wever (American actress, Nurse Jackie)
what names are similar to Merritt?
what names go well with Merritt?
Sibling names that share Merritt's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Merritt
What does the name Merritt mean?
Merritt means “boundary gate, deserving”.
What is the origin of the name Merritt?
Merritt comes from the English naming tradition.
How popular is the name Merritt?
Merritt ranked #985 in the US in 1954, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1899, at #394, and it has spent 72 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Merritt a boy or girl name?
Merritt is a unisex name, used for both boys and girls.
How do you pronounce Merritt?
Merritt is pronounced MARE-it, with 2 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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