The nameMeredith
Meredith is a Welsh name, once given to boys and now mostly to girls. It is elegant and literary.
- Girl's name
- Welsh
Meaning
Meredith comes from the Welsh Maredudd, often read as "great lord".
Origin
Welsh.
History
Maredudd was a name of medieval Welsh princes. In America Meredith became a girl's name, peaking at 140th in 1980. Meredith Grey of Grey's Anatomy keeps it familiar.
Famous people named Meredith
- George Meredith, novelist
- Meredith Monk, composer
- Meredith Vieira, journalist
Popularity of the name Meredith
Meredith in the United States
Meredith was most popular in the United States in the 1980s, with 19,392 births over the decade, 24% of all recorded babies named Meredith. Its rise began around 1936, and it peaked in 1980. Half of all babies named Meredith in the United States were born before 1984, so it is mostly a parents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 561 births a year.
Meredith in the United Kingdom
Meredith was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 747 births over the decade, 46% of all recorded babies named Meredith. Half of all babies named Meredith in the United Kingdom were born before 2015, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 65 births a year on average, against 82 in the five years before.
Meredith in France
Sibling names for Meredith
Names from the same generation as Meredith, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Meredith? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Meredith with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Meredith side by side with the name of your choice.
Meredith in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Meredith mean?
Meredith comes from the Welsh Maredudd, often read as "great lord".
What is the origin of the name Meredith?
Welsh.
Is Meredith a girl's or a boy's name?
Meredith is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Meredith?
In 2024, Meredith was the 490th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 621 births.
What are good sibling names for Meredith?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Marina, Rosa, Martha and Holly for a sister, Marvin, Philip, Frank and Pedro for a brother.
Who are famous people named Meredith?
George Meredith, novelist; Meredith Monk, composer; Meredith Vieira, journalist.