Merina
Every Merina since 1965 — 338 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Merina
Merina is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1965, 338 American babies have been named Merina. Its peak came in 1998, when 19 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1990s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Merina stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Merina year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — |
| 2024 | 6 | #14,680 |
| 2023 | — | — |
| 2022 | 5 | #16,933 |
| 2021 | 5 | #16,873 |
| 2020 | — | — |
| 2019 | 5 | #17,202 |
| 2018 | 5 | #17,341 |
| 2017 | 8 | #12,390 |
| 2016 | 5 | #17,983 |
| 2015 | 7 | #13,998 |
| 2014 | 8 | #12,709 |
| 2013 | 6 | #15,905 |
| 2012 | 5 | #18,652 |
| 2011 | 6 | #16,132 |
| 2010 | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — |
| 2008 | 5 | #19,497 |
| 2007 | — | — |
| 2006 | 8 | #13,201 |
| 2005 | 9 | #11,527 |
| 2004 | 6 | #15,424 |
| 2003 | 13 | #8,329 |
| 2002 | 11 | #9,266 |
| 2001 | 9 | #10,721 |
| 2000 | 15 | #7,037 |
| 1995 | 14 | #6,502 |
| 1990 | 13 | #6,727 |
| 1985 | — | — |
| 1980 | 5 | #11,493 |
| 1975 | — | — |
| 1970 | 5 | #8,843 |
| 1965 | 5 | #7,188 |
| 1960 | — | — |
| 1955 | — | — |
| 1950 | — | — |
| 1945 | — | — |
| 1940 | — | — |
| 1935 | — | — |
| 1930 | — | — |
| 1925 | — | — |
| 1920 | — | — |
| 1915 | — | — |
| 1910 | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Merina in 2025?
Merina did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Merina?
338 babies have been named Merina in the United States since 1965, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Merina most popular?
Merina peaked in 1998, when 19 newborns received the name.
Is Merina a boy or girl name?
Merina is overwhelmingly a girl's name — 100% of babies with the name.
Is the name Merina rising or falling?
Merina is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.