Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Merna
GirlIrish· “variant of Myrna, beloved”
- Meaning
- variant of Myrna, beloved
- Origin
- Irish
- Pronunciation
- MUR-nuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- Unranked
- US babies 2025
- 0
- Best rank
- #799 (1930)
- Peak year
- 1930
Meaning and origin of Merna
Merna is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “variant of Myrna, beloved”.
Merna is a variant of Myrna, from the Irish Muirne, usually explained as beloved or festive. In Irish legend Muirne is the mother of the hero Fionn mac Cumhaill. It is said MUR-nuh. Merna has a soft, vintage sound and a gentle meaning. Myrna and Mirna are related spellings, and the name sits alongside other Irish names such as Moira and Maura. Myrna became popular in the US in the early twentieth century, helped by the actress Myrna Loy, and Merna appeared alongside it.
Popularity over time
Merna first appears in US Social Security records in 1895. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 14 different years, starting in 1908. Its best national rank was #799 in 1930, the same year it reached its highest count of 79 babies. It did not appear in the 2025 data, which only lists names given to at least five babies.
Its national rank moved from #1,070 in 1920, #2,102 in 1950, and #7,882 in 2000. Of the 2,461 US girls named Merna since records began, 24% were born in the 1930s, its biggest decade. The 1920s come next, with 525 babies. Since 2010, 139 more have been named Merna.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Armida, Margy, Erlene, Beverlee, and Velia.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Merna is usually pronounced MUR-nuh, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-na”.
Middle names for Merna
A few middle names that flow with Merna: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Merna
Similar names
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Lists that include Merna
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Merna mean?
Merna is an Irish name that is usually said to mean “variant of Myrna, beloved”.
What is the origin of the name Merna?
Merna has Irish roots. Merna is a variant of Myrna, from the Irish Muirne, usually explained as beloved or festive.
Is Merna a popular name?
No. Merna was not recorded for five or more babies of its most common sex in 2025, so it is rare today.
Is Merna a boy or girl name?
Merna is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Merna?
Merna is usually pronounced MUR-nuh. 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