Charlotte Girl
SHAHR-luht
“free man” · French
#2
Merida
GirlSpanish, Latin· “from the Spanish city of Mérida”
- Meaning
- from the Spanish city of Mérida
- Origin
- Spanish, Latin
- Pronunciation
- MAIR-ih-duh
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #2,677
- US babies 2025
- 65
- Best rank
- #1,796 (2017)
- Peak year
- 2017
Meaning and origin of Merida
Merida is a Spanish and Latin name that means “from the Spanish city of Mérida”.
Merida is a place name, from the Spanish city of Mérida in Extremadura, founded by the Romans as Emerita Augusta, a colony for retired soldiers. The name Emerita refers to those veterans. The Mexican city of Mérida in Yucatán was named after the Spanish one. As a given name, Merida gained attention from Pixar's film Brave, whose heroine is Princess Merida, a red-haired Scottish archer. It is said MAIR-ih-duh in English, while the Spanish cities are MEH-ree-dah. It has an adventurous image and a Roman background, and it offers an alternative to Meredith for families who like the sound.
Popularity over time
Merida first appears in US Social Security records in 1916. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,796 in 2017, the same year it reached its highest count of 116 babies. In 2025, 65 babies were named Merida, and it ranked #2,677 nationally. That is 34% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #6,180 in 1980 and #2,677 in 2025. Of the 1,567 US girls named Merida since records began, 46% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2020s come next, with 466 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Avigail, Alayla, Lexa, Aoife, and Analeah.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Merida ranked highest in Texas, California, and Florida.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | #2004 | 11 |
| California | #2040 | 10 |
| Florida | #2066 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Merida is usually pronounced MAIR-ih-duh, with three syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-da”.
Middle names for Merida
A few middle names that flow with Merida: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Merida
Similar names
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Lists that include Merida
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Merida mean?
Merida is a Spanish and Latin name that means “from the Spanish city of Mérida”.
What is the origin of the name Merida?
Merida has Spanish and Latin roots. Merida is a place name, from the Spanish city of Mérida in Extremadura, founded by the Romans as Emerita Augusta, a colony for retired soldiers.
Is Merida a popular name?
Not especially. Merida ranked #2,677 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Merida a boy or girl name?
Merida is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Merida?
Merida is usually pronounced MAIR-ih-duh. 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