"great lord, magnificent ruler"
Origin: Welsh
Language: English
Meredith
Pronunciation: [ m-EHR-ihd-ihth ]
Does Meredith flow with your last name?
A noble Welsh name once fit for princes
Welsh
English
American
Classic
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Literary
Strong
Vintage
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Meaning & Origin
"sea ruler"
Origin: Welsh
Language: Welsh
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The Story of Meredith
Meredith is an ancient Welsh name, derived from 'Maredudd' or 'Meredydd,' composed of the elements 'mawr' meaning great and 'eudd' meaning lord or ruler. It was historically a male name in Wales, borne by several medieval Welsh princes. The name crossed into England and eventually became used for both sexes, ultimately settling as predominantly feminine in modern times.
Meredith transitioned to a primarily girl's name in the English-speaking world during the 20th century. The TV drama Grey's Anatomy, premiered in 2005 with Meredith Grey as its central character, gave the name significant contemporary exposure and likely contributed to its sustained use among millennial parents.
In Wales, Meredith retains recognition as a historic name with royal and noble associations, though it's now rarely used there as a given name. In the United States it carries associations with intelligence and professionalism — the stereotype of a capable, serious woman.
Historical Record
Meredith first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 71,477 babies have been named Meredith in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Meredith is past its peak , currently ranked #490 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Meredith was originally exclusively a male Welsh name — its shift to predominantly female is a relatively modern English development
- Several medieval Welsh princes bore the name Maredudd, the ancestor of Meredith
Meredith in Other Languages
Welsh
Maredudd
French
Meredith
German
Meredith
Italian
Meredith
Spanish
Meredith
Popularity Over Time
#490
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1980
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Meredith
M
Meredith Vieira
Entertainer
1953
American television host, journalist, and longtime anchor of the Today show
M
Meredith Monk
Musician
1942
American avant-garde composer, singer, and filmmaker considered a pioneer of extended vocal technique
M
Meredith Grey Fictional
Other
The central protagonist of Grey's Anatomy, played by Ellen Pompeo, a brilliant and resilient surgeon
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Compare Meredith with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 3
- Popularity Rank
- #490
- Total SSA Count
- 621
- Cultural Origins
- Welsh English American
- Pronunciation
- Moderate
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Common Nicknames
Meri
Merry
Mere
Mer
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Classic pairing, smooth 3-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, balanced 3-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Meredith
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Meredith is also used as a boy name, ranked #42313.
View Meredith as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (Welsh)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Meredith
What does the name Meredith mean?
"great lord, magnificent ruler" (from Welsh). "sea ruler" (from Welsh). Meredith is an ancient Welsh name, derived from 'Maredudd' or 'Meredydd,' composed of the elements 'mawr' meaning great and 'eudd' meaning lord or ruler. It was historically a male name in Wales, borne by several medieval Welsh princes. The name crossed into England and eventually became used for both sexes, ultimately settling as predominantly feminine in modern times.
What is the origin of the name Meredith?
Meredith has Welsh, English, and American origins. In Welsh, it means "great lord, magnificent ruler". In Welsh, it means "sea ruler".
Is Meredith a boy or girl name?
Meredith is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #490. As a boy name, it is ranked #42313. Meredith is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Meredith?
Meredith is pronounced m-EHR-ihd-ihth.
How popular is the name Meredith?
Meredith is currently ranked #490 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Meredith?
Common nicknames for Meredith include Meri, Merry, Mere, and Mer.
What are good middle names for Meredith?
Popular middle name pairings include Meredith Grace, Meredith Ann, Meredith Rose, Meredith Jane, Meredith Kate, Meredith Claire, and Meredith Lynn.
What are good sibling names for Meredith?
Names that pair well with Meredith as siblings include Rhys, Bronwen, Gareth, Seren, Callum, Gwendolyn, and Owen.
How many syllables does Meredith have?
Meredith has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.
Is Meredith a common or rare name?
Meredith is a popular name, ranked #490 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
About the Name Meredith
Meredith is a girl name with Welsh, English, and American origins . The name means "great lord, magnificent ruler" in Welsh .
Is Meredith a boy or girl name? Meredith is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #490 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #42,313. Meredith is more commonly used as a girl name.
Meredith is currently ranked #490 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Meredith has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-EHR-ihd-ihth, making it distinctive and memorable.
Common nicknames for Meredith include Meri, Merry, Mere, and Mer. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis