Merida

Pronunciation: [ m-er-EED-uh ]

Girl Name #2,462 Most Popular Hidden Gem 3 Syllables

A fierce Scottish princess with wild curls and wilder spirit

Scottish American

Strong Bold Earthy Whimsical

Meaning & Origin

"worthy, deserved"

Origin: Latin

Language: Latin

"one of high honor"

Origin: Celtic

Language: Scottish Gaelic

Things to Know About This Name

Strongly associated with the Pixar film Brave (2012); almost exclusively recognized through this character for most people

The Story of Merida

Merida gained widespread recognition through the Pixar film Brave (2012), where it's the name of the fierce Scottish princess protagonist. The name likely derives from Latin 'merita' meaning deserved or worthy, though it may also have Spanish roots (Mérida is a city in Spain). The character's fiery independence gave the name its current adventurous spirit.

Merida saw a notable spike in use after Brave was released in 2012, particularly in the US and UK. It has remained in use as parents appreciate its distinctive sound and association with a strong, independent female character.

In the Pixar film, Merida is a Scottish princess who fights for her own destiny — making her a symbol of female independence and courage in modern children's media. The character is Pixar's first female protagonist.

Fun Facts

Merida is Pixar's first princess and the first to not have a love story as the central plot
Mérida is an ancient Roman city in Spain (formerly Emerita Augusta)
The voice of Merida in Brave was Kelly Macdonald, a Scottish actress

Merida in Other Languages

French Mérida

Gaelic Mèirid

Spanish Mérida

Famous People Named Merida

Merida Fictional

Other

The fearless, bow-wielding Scottish princess from Pixar's Brave (2012), first female Pixar protagonist

Quick Facts

Gender: Girl
Syllables: 3
Popularity Rank: #2,462
Total SSA Count: 73
Cultural Origins: Scottish American
Pronunciation: Easy
Formality: Moderate
Cross-Cultural Ease: Moderate

Common Nicknames

Meri Rida

Pairs Well With

Merida Rose Merida Dawn Merida Fern Merida Skye Merida Wren Merida Blair

Sibling Names

Brave Archer Fern Skye Loch Rowan

Also a Boy Name

Merida is also used as a boy name, ranked #29996.

View Merida as a boy name →

Similar Names

Amanda Linda Melinda Marianna Belinda Meredith Esmeralda Fernanda

Playground Safety

Kid-Friendly

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Frequently Asked Questions About Merida

What does the name Merida mean?

"worthy, deserved" (from Latin). "one of high honor" (from Celtic). Merida gained widespread recognition through the Pixar film Brave (2012), where it's the name of the fierce Scottish princess protagonist. The name likely derives from Latin 'merita' meaning deserved or worthy, though it may also have Spanish roots (Mérida is a city in Spain). The character's fiery independence gave the name its current adventurous spirit.

What is the origin of the name Merida?

Merida has Latin, Celtic, Scottish, and American origins. In Latin, it means "worthy, deserved". In Celtic, it means "one of high honor".

Is Merida a boy or girl name?

Merida is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2462. As a boy name, it is ranked #29996. Merida is more commonly used as a girl name.

How do you pronounce Merida?

Merida is pronounced m-er-EED-uh.

How popular is the name Merida?

Merida is currently ranked #2462 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

What are common nicknames for Merida?

Common nicknames for Merida include Meri and Rida.

What are good middle names for Merida?

Popular middle name pairings include Merida Rose, Merida Dawn, Merida Fern, Merida Skye, Merida Wren, and Merida Blair.

What are good sibling names for Merida?

Names that pair well with Merida as siblings include Brave, Archer, Fern, Skye, Loch, and Rowan.

How many syllables does Merida have?

Merida has 3 syllables, making it distinctive and rhythmic.

Is Merida a common or rare name?

Merida is an uncommon name, ranked #2462 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.

About the Name Merida

Merida is a girl name with Scottish and American origins . The name means "worthy, deserved" in Latin .

Is Merida a boy or girl name? Merida is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,462 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #29,996. Merida is more commonly used as a girl name.

Merida is currently ranked #2,462 in popularity for girl names in the United States.

The name Merida has 3 syllables and is pronounced m-er-EED-uh, making it distinctive and memorable.

Common nicknames for Merida include Meri and Rida. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.