Meredith Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Meredith Name Meaning

Fact: Meredith used to be more common a boy name before transitioning to a girl name.

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A Deep Dive

Meredith Overview

Meaning

Great/noted ruler, great Lord

Gender

Girl, Gender-neutral

Origin

Welsh

Etymology

Derived from the Welsh name “Maredudd,” which means “great lord” or “protector of the sea,” and evolved into Meredith in English-speaking countries.

Pronunciation

/ˈmɛr.ɪ.dɪθ/

Popularity

Meredith is a well-known name in English-speaking countries, particularly the USA and the UK. In 2023, Meredith came in at 509th for girls in the USA.

Syllable

3 syllables

Length

8 letters

Numerology

1 (Pioneering, Independent, Leading)

Name Styles

Classic, Traditional, Vintage

Associated Traits

Intelligent, graceful, strong, dependable

Name Day

December 22nd
A Deep Dive

Meredith Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Meridith, Merideth, Meredythe, Meridyth, Meridytha, Meradith, Mereditha, Merry

Common Nicknames

Mer, Merry, Meri, Red, Edie, Mera, Dith, Meri-Meri

Diminutives

Meri, Edie, Merry, Dith, Mer

Famous People

  • Meredith Vieira
    (American Journalist)
  • Meredith Baxter
    (American Actress)
  • Meredith Hagner
    (American Actress)
  • Meredith Brooks
    (American Singer)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Meredith Grey
    ("Grey's Anatomy," TV Series)
  • Meredith Palmer
    ("The Office," TV Series)

Places

  • Meredith Bay
    (New Hampshire, USA)
  • Meredith College
    (North Carolina, USA)
  • Meredith Park
    (Sydney, Australia)

What Is the Meaning of Meredith?

Meredith means “great/noted ruler” or “great lord.” Those named Meredith are often admired for their leadership qualities and have a commanding presence

What Is the Origin of The Name Meredith?

Meredith has its roots in Welsh, where it originated as “Maredudd” or “Meredydd.” The name has evolved over time, maintaining its strong and regal connotation.

Meredith Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Meredith in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#5702021#5492022#5092023
Top 3 Rankings#1401980#1401981#1431979

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Meredith

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023509
(+40 from 2022)
595
(+40 from 2022)
0.03402
2022549
(+21 from 2021)
555
(+22 from 2021)
0.03095
2021570
(+15 from 2020)
533
(+34 from 2020)
0.02975
2020585
(-7 from 2019)
499
(-28 from 2019)
0.02823
2019578
(-55 from 2018)
527
(-71 from 2018)
0.02872
2018523
(-23 from 2017)
598
(-29 from 2017)
0.03216
2017500
(+28 from 2016)
627
(+39 from 2016)
0.03319
2016528
(+61 from 2015)
588
(+78 from 2015)
0.03037
2015589
(+21 from 2014)
510
(+34 from 2014)
0.02614
2014610
(+48 from 2013)
476
(+44 from 2013)
0.02433
2013658
(+11 from 2012)
432
(+9 from 2012)
0.02241
2012669
(-68 from 2011)
423
(-54 from 2011)
0.02181
2011601
(+3 from 2010)
477
(-9 from 2010)
0.02462
2010604
(-120 from 2009)
486
(-149 from 2009)
0.02479
2009484
(-39 from 2008)
635
(-74 from 2008)
0.03136
2008445
(-99 from 2007)
709
(-243 from 2007)
0.03404
2007346
(-34 from 2006)
952
(-112 from 2006)
0.04498
2006312
(+54 from 2005)
1064
(+211 from 2005)
0.05090
2005366
(-31 from 2004)
853
(-100 from 2004)
0.04203
2004335
(+28 from 2003)
953
(+113 from 2003)
0.04723
2003363
(-7 from 2002)
840
(+7 from 2002)
0.04187
2002356
(-32 from 2001)
833
(-124 from 2001)
0.04218
2001324
(-32 from 2000)
957
(-135 from 2000)
0.04831
2000292
(-17 from 1999)
1092
(-48 from 1999)
0.05472
1999275
(+5 from 1998)
1140
(+29 from 1998)
0.05856
1998280
(-18 from 1997)
1111
(+4 from 1997)
0.05731
1997262
(-25 from 1996)
1107
(-74 from 1996)
0.05798
1996237
(-11 from 1995)
1181
(-63 from 1995)
0.06160
1995226
(+4 from 1994)
1244
(+14 from 1994)
0.06474
1994230
(-7 from 1993)
1230
(-21 from 1993)
0.06310
1993223
(-24 from 1992)
1251
(-212 from 1992)
0.06345
1992199
No change from 1991
1463
(-31 from 1991)
0.07298
1991199
(-9 from 1990)
1494
(-62 from 1990)
0.07347
1990190
(-22 from 1989)
1556
(-142 from 1989)
0.07574
1989168
(-16 from 1988)
1698
(-160 from 1988)
0.08523
1988152
(-4 from 1987)
1858
(+41 from 1987)
0.09661
1987148
(+2 from 1986)
1817
(-110 from 1986)
0.09695
1986150
(-1 from 1985)
1927
(-32 from 1985)
0.10442
1985149
(-1 from 1984)
1959
(+22 from 1984)
0.10610
1984148
No change from 1983
1937
(-4 from 1983)
0.10741
1983148
(+2 from 1982)
1941
(-13 from 1982)
0.10846
1982150
(-10 from 1981)
1954
(-93 from 1981)
0.10770
1981140
No change from 1980
2047
(-24 from 1980)
0.11445
1980140
(+3 from 1979)
2071
(+109 from 1979)
0.11631
1979143
(+3 from 1978)
1962
(+82 from 1978)
0.11385
1978146
(+7 from 1977)
1880
(+114 from 1977)
0.11436
1977153
(+19 from 1976)
1766
(+298 from 1976)
0.10736
1976172
(+9 from 1975)
1468
(+40 from 1975)
0.09339
1975181
(-6 from 1974)
1428
(-91 from 1974)
0.09149
1974175
(+3 from 1973)
1519
(-4 from 1973)
0.09698
1973178
(+19 from 1972)
1523
(+88 from 1972)
0.09800
1972197
No change from 1971
1435
(-72 from 1971)
0.08899
1971197
(+37 from 1970)
1507
(+155 from 1970)
0.08599
1970234
(+32 from 1969)
1352
(+260 from 1969)
0.07380
1969266
(+136 from 1968)
1092
(+555 from 1968)
0.06195
1968402
(+100 from 1967)
537
(+182 from 1967)
0.03141
1967502
(+6 from 1966)
355
(+8 from 1966)
0.02068
1966508
(+2 from 1965)
347
(+2 from 1965)
0.01976
1965510
(+57 from 1964)
345
(+44 from 1964)
0.01888
1964567
(+184 from 1963)
301
(+113 from 1963)
0.01538
1963751
(-128 from 1962)
188
(-73 from 1962)
0.00946
1962623
(+13 from 1961)
261
(+6 from 1961)
0.01288
1961636
(+6 from 1960)
255
(+8 from 1960)
0.01228
1960642
(-26 from 1959)
247
(-12 from 1959)
0.01188
1959616
(+54 from 1958)
259
(+42 from 1958)
0.01246
1958670
(-31 from 1957)
217
(-19 from 1957)
0.01050
1957639
(-89 from 1956)
236
(-52 from 1956)
0.01125
1956550
(-20 from 1955)
288
(-12 from 1955)
0.01398
1955530
(-2 from 1954)
300
(+18 from 1954)
0.01496
1954528
(-58 from 1953)
282
(-47 from 1953)
0.01416
1953470
(+5 from 1952)
329
(+14 from 1952)
0.01705
1952475
(-34 from 1951)
315
(-44 from 1951)
0.01656
1951441
(+26 from 1950)
359
(+55 from 1950)
0.01943
1950467
(+6 from 1949)
304
(+14 from 1949)
0.01729
1949473
(-5 from 1948)
290
(-4 from 1948)
0.01652
1948468
(-27 from 1947)
294
(-52 from 1947)
0.01687
1947441
(-19 from 1946)
346
(+14 from 1946)
0.01903
1946422
(-18 from 1945)
332
(+23 from 1945)
0.02058
1945404
(-14 from 1944)
309
(-19 from 1944)
0.02296
1944390
(+15 from 1943)
328
(+1 from 1943)
0.02400
1943405
(+38 from 1942)
327
(+55 from 1942)
0.02278
1942443
(+13 from 1941)
272
(+41 from 1941)
0.01956
1941456
(+67 from 1940)
231
(+59 from 1940)
0.01854
1940523
(-44 from 1939)
172
(-22 from 1939)
0.01456
1939479
(-3 from 1938)
194
No change from 1938
0.01711
1938476
(+64 from 1937)
194
(+42 from 1937)
0.01700
1937540
(-33 from 1936)
152
(-13 from 1936)
0.01380
1936507
(+56 from 1935)
165
(+36 from 1935)
0.01531
1935563
(+9 from 1934)
129
(+2 from 1934)
0.01187
1934572
(+131 from 1933)
127
(+42 from 1933)
0.01173
1933703
(+16 from 1932)
85
(-3 from 1932)
0.00813
1932719
(+78 from 1931)
88
(+16 from 1931)
0.00795
1931797
(-80 from 1930)
72
(-22 from 1930)
0.00652
1930717
(-13 from 1929)
94
(-5 from 1929)
0.00806
1929704
(+20 from 1928)
99
(+4 from 1928)
0.00855
1928724
(+15 from 1927)
95
(+2 from 1927)
0.00795
1927739
(+57 from 1926)
93
(+10 from 1926)
0.00752
1926796
(-23 from 1925)
83
(-8 from 1925)
0.00675
1925773
(+49 from 1924)
91
(+9 from 1924)
0.00720
1924822
(-11 from 1923)
82
(+1 from 1923)
0.00633
1923811
(-57 from 1922)
81
(-13 from 1922)
0.00647
1922754
(-18 from 1921)
94
(-5 from 1921)
0.00753
1921736
(+100 from 1920)
99
(+24 from 1920)
0.00774
1920836
(+22 from 1919)
75
(+9 from 1919)
0.00603
1919858
(-70 from 1918)
66
(-16 from 1918)
0.00562
1918788
(+78 from 1917)
82
(+19 from 1917)
0.00682
1917866
(-35 from 1916)
63
(-3 from 1916)
0.00561
1916831
(+114 from 1915)
66
(+17 from 1915)
0.00608
1915945
(-13 from 1914)
49
(+9 from 1914)
0.00479
1914932
(-80 from 1913)
40
(+2 from 1913)
0.00502
1913852
(+326 from 1912)
38
(+18 from 1912)
0.00580
19121178
(-65 from 1911)
20
(+4 from 1911)
0.00341
19111113
(-236 from 1910)
16
(-8 from 1910)
0.00362
1910877
(+138 from 1909)
24
(+8 from 1909)
0.00572
19091015
(+69 from 1908)
16
(+2 from 1908)
0.00435
19081084
(+8 from 1907)
14
(+1 from 1907)
0.00395
19071092
(+635 from 1906)
13
(+7 from 1906)
0.00385
19061727
(-489 from 1905)
6
(-4 from 1905)
0.00191
19051238
(+639 from 1904)
10
(+5 from 1904)
0.00323
19041877
(-559 from 1903)
5
(-3 from 1903)
0.00171
19031318
(+2 from 1902)
8
No change from 1902
0.00288
19021320
(+612 from 1900)
8
(+3 from 1900)
0.00285
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19001932
(-506 from 1895)
5
(-1 from 1895)
0.00157
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18951426
First SSA data recorded
6
First SSA data recorded
0.00243
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18920
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Meredith

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#5022021#5272022#4422023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#7202021#9222022#6912023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#3952021#4072022#3812023

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#8362021#8172022#7012023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#5062021#5232022#7092023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#4072021#4462022#3512023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#6572021#6482022#4532023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#12842020#11522021#7192023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#2732021#4622022#5652023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#8452021#6222022#7092023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#8302021#5062022#5142023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#5762021#4112022#7812023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#11142021#8002022#7372023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#5422021#5572022#6052023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#6002021#4992022#3342023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#4242021#3562022#3332023

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#7152021#1712022#4322023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#4772021#5982022#3442023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#7702021#7822022#3382023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#3572021#5532022#4622023

Louisiana (LA)

Louisiana (LA) flagLouisiana (LA)#3572021#2892022#3612023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#3782016#3942019#3232023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#6712021#5422022#4132023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#4242021#3952022#2952023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#6612020#4212021#3782022

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#12222021#8962022#6102023

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#5962021#3912022#5222023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#7332020#5532022#5002023

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4632020#3382021#5372022

Mississippi (MS)

Mississippi (MS) flagMississippi (MS)#4052021#3492022#3382023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#6532020#4752021#5802022

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#2402018#2102019#1742023

Rhode Island (RI)

Rhode Island (RI) flagRhode Island (RI)#1721997#1931999#2222000

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#10082021#5822022#6262023

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3862011#3882016#3442023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#6212021#7002022#6832023

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#1551999#2772004#2572007

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2142009#2492011#1882021

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4842019#3062021#3972022

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#8722009#6522018#7372023

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4491991#3841993#4432007

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1942000#2072001#2332006

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1022004#832007#882008

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#2481987#2661996#3512021

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#2622014#2522019#1972021

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1571978#2191982#2091984

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#3411992#5942013#4452014

Hawaii (HI)

Hawaii (HI) flagHawaii (HI)#3031977#2011978#3221984

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1791979#1961985#2262006

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1551970#1011985#2301986

Popularity Rankings for Meredith in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#2752009#3632011#1532023

Popularity in New Zealand

New Zealand flagNew Zealand#2621980#3171981#3591989

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#3602020#3682021#2962022

Popularity in Mexico

Mexico flagMexico#3522020#3182021

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#4322017#4342018#3332020

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#3762018

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#5372019#5712020#5172021

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#6442021#7072022#7252023

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Meredith a Name for Boys or Girls?

Meredith is traditionally a unisex name, though it is more commonly used for girls today. Its gentle and melodic sound makes it especially appealing for female names.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Meredith

Meredith in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Meredith Vieira (Journalist, 1953): An American journalist and television host known for her work on "The Today Show" and "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."
  • Meredith Baxter (Actress, 1947): An American actress famous for her role in the TV series "Family Ties."
  • Meredith Hagner (Actress, 1987): An American actress known for her roles in "Search Party" and "Younger."
  • Meredith Brooks (Singer, 1958): An American singer-songwriter best known for her hit single "Bitch."
  • Meredith Grey ("Grey's Anatomy," 2005 TV Series): A central character who is a talented and compassionate surgeon navigating the complexities of personal and professional life.
  • Meredith Palmer ("The Office," 2005 TV Series): A quirky and unpredictable employee in the Scranton branch of Dunder Mifflin.
  • Meredith Bay (New Hampshire, USA): A scenic bay popular for boating and fishing on Lake Winnipesaukee.
  • Meredith College (North Carolina, USA): A private women's liberal arts college known for its strong academic programs.
  • Meredith Park (Sydney, Australia): A vibrant urban park offering recreational facilities and green spaces.

Similar Names to Meredith

Sibling Names for Meredith

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