Girl · 181st of 27,321
Meredith
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
81,382
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1980
Peak Popularity Year
2,087
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Meredith stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Meredith is a name of Welsh origin, meaning 'great lord' or 'ruler'. It evolved from the Welsh 'Maredudd' and has seen various historical forms. The name is associated with traits of strength and independence, with no significant biblical connections. It gained popularity in the 19th century and is currently viewed as a classic name with a sophisticated image.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmɛrɪdɪθ/
Origin
Welsh
Etymology
The name Meredith comes from the Welsh name 'Maredudd', which is believed to mean 'great lord' or 'ruler'. It combines the elements 'mari' (great) and 'udd' (lord).
Meaning
great lord, ruler
Language Evolution
Maredudd, Meredyth, Meredith
Historical Usage
Meredith gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly as a unisex name, and has been used for both males and females.
Variants & Derivatives
Meredyth, Maredudd, Meri
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, Meredith is perceived as a sophisticated and classic name, often associated with strength and independence.
Famous People
Meredith Baxter, Meredith Vieira, Meredith Monk
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 2,087 peak births in 1980
Geographic Spread
Popular across 50 US states, with strongest presence in New Hampshire
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 13 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 5 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 13 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 704th of 7545 | 1,325 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 755th of 6773 | 1,251 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1044th of 7552 | 974 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1772nd of 10718 | 412 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3702nd of 16616 | 225 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 15020th of 24088 | 31 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 859th of 9107 | 1,242 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 535th of 9204 | 3,133 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 553rd of 12526 | 5,403 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 226th of 19264 | 20,585 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 181st of 27321 | 26,553 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 370th of 35406 | 13,633 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 565th of 30306 | 6,565 |