Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Merci
GirlFrench, English· “thank you; variant of Mercy”
- Meaning
- thank you; variant of Mercy
- Origin
- French, English
- Pronunciation
- mur-SEE
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,502
- US babies 2025
- 44
- Best rank
- #2,556 (2019)
- Peak year
- 2019
Meaning and origin of Merci
Merci is a French and English name that is usually said to mean “thank you; variant of Mercy”.
Merci is the French word for thank you, and it is also used as a variant of Mercy, the English virtue name. Mercy comes from the Latin merces, reward or wages, which later came to mean compassion in Christian usage. In Spanish, Merci is also a short form of Mercedes, from the title of the Virgin Mary, Our Lady of Mercy. It is said mur-SEE. Mercy, Mercedes and Mercie are related names. Because of the French word, the name will often remind people of gratitude.
Other spellings with the same sound: Mercy.
Popularity over time
Merci first appears in US Social Security records in 1963. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #2,556 in 2019, the same year it reached its highest count of 69 babies. In 2025, 44 babies were named Merci, and it ranked #3,502 nationally. That is 38% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #11,487 in 1980, #11,440 in 2000, #6,815 in 2010, and #3,502 in 2025. Of the 991 US girls named Merci since records began, 37% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 286 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Myracle, Kalila, Niomi, Evanna, and Kahlia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Merci ranked highest in Georgia.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia | #1491 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 92% of US babies named Merci over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Merci is usually pronounced mur-SEE, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-ci”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Mercy.
Middle names for Merci
A few middle names that flow with Merci: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Merci
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Lists that include Merci
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Merci mean?
Merci is a French and English name that is usually said to mean “thank you; variant of Mercy”.
What is the origin of the name Merci?
Merci has French and English roots. Merci is the French word for thank you, and it is also used as a variant of Mercy, the English virtue name.
Is Merci a popular name?
Not especially. Merci ranked #3,502 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Merci a boy or girl name?
Merci is mainly a girl's name. About 92% of US babies named Merci over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Merci?
Merci is usually pronounced mur-SEE. 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