Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Meredith
GirlWelsh· “great lord”
- Meaning
- great lord
- Origin
- Welsh
- Pronunciation
- MEH-rih-dihth
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #469
- US babies 2025
- 656
- Best rank
- #140 (1980)
- Peak year
- 1980
Meaning and origin of Meredith
Meredith is a Welsh name that is usually said to mean “great lord”.
Meredith comes from the Welsh Maredudd or Meredydd. The first part is often linked to a word meaning great or splendid, and the second to lord, though the exact analysis is uncertain. Originally a man's name in Wales, borne by medieval Welsh princes, it later became a surname and then, in the United States, mainly a girl's name. The novelist George Meredith kept it visible in English letters. Today Meredith feels smart, classic and understated. Merry and Mer are affectionate nicknames, and it pairs nicely with short middle names.
Other spellings with the same sound: Meridith, Merideth.
Popularity over time
Meredith first appears in US Social Security records in 1895. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 114 different years, starting in 1910. Its best national rank was #140 in 1980, the same year it reached its highest count of 2,071 babies. In 2025, 656 babies were named Meredith, and it ranked #469 nationally. That is 29% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #838 in 1920, #467 in 1950, #140 in 1980, #293 in 2000, #604 in 2010, and #469 in 2025. Of the 77,787 US girls named Meredith since records began, 25% were born in the 1980s, its biggest decade. The 1970s come next, with 15,840 babies. Since 2010, 8,611 more have been named Meredith.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Latasha, Nina, Tasha, Trisha, and Brianne.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Meredith ranked highest in Alabama, Louisiana, and New Hampshire.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | #196 | 23 |
| Louisiana | #250 | 18 |
| New Hampshire | #261 | 5 |
| West Virginia | #262 | 7 |
| Mississippi | #263 | 11 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Meredith is usually pronounced MEH-rih-dihth, with three syllables. It has eight letters, starts with M and ends in “-th”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Meridith and Merideth.
Middle names for Meredith
A few middle names that flow with Meredith: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Meredith
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Lists that include Meredith
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Meredith mean?
Meredith is a Welsh name that is usually said to mean “great lord”.
What is the origin of the name Meredith?
Meredith has Welsh roots. Meredith comes from the Welsh Maredudd or Meredydd.
Is Meredith a popular name?
Yes. Meredith ranked #469 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Meredith a boy or girl name?
Meredith is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Meredith?
Meredith is usually pronounced MEH-rih-dihth. 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