Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Mercedes
GirlSpanish· “mercies”
- Meaning
- mercies
- Origin
- Spanish
- Pronunciation
- mer-SAY-deez
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #1,439
- US babies 2025
- 150
- Best rank
- #164 (1991)
- Peak year
- 1991
Meaning and origin of Mercedes
Mercedes is a Spanish name that means “mercies”.
Mercedes is a Spanish name taken from María de las Mercedes, "Mary of Mercies," a title of the Virgin Mary. The word merced comes from the Latin merces, meaning "reward" or "favor," which came to mean mercy in Christian usage. Mercedes has long been popular in Spain and Latin America, and it was borne by Queen Mercedes of Spain in the nineteenth century. Internationally it is also known through the Mercedes car brand, which was named after Mercedes Jellinek, the daughter of an early automotive businessman. The name has a sophisticated, flowing sound, with Mercy and Sadie as possible nicknames.
Popularity over time
Mercedes has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 133 different years. Its best national rank was #164 in 1991, the same year it reached its highest count of 1,798 babies. In 2025, 150 babies were named Mercedes, and it ranked #1,439 nationally. That is 38% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #369 in 1920, #641 in 1950, #693 in 1980, #285 in 2000, #665 in 2010, and #1,439 in 2025. Of the 46,206 US girls named Mercedes since records began, 33% were born in the 1990s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 8,454 babies. Since 2010, 3,975 more have been named Mercedes.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Cristina, Shanice, Ashleigh, Iesha, and Kirsten.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mercedes ranked highest in Utah, Kentucky, and Indiana.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Mercedes is usually pronounced mer-SAY-deez, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with M and ends in “-es”.
Middle names for Mercedes
A few middle names that flow with Mercedes: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mercedes
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Lists that include Mercedes
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mercedes mean?
Mercedes is a Spanish name that means “mercies”.
What is the origin of the name Mercedes?
Mercedes has Spanish roots. Mercedes is a Spanish name taken from María de las Mercedes, "Mary of Mercies," a title of the Virgin Mary.
Is Mercedes a popular name?
Not especially. Mercedes ranked #1,439 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Mercedes a boy or girl name?
Mercedes is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Mercedes?
Mercedes is usually pronounced mer-SAY-deez. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings