Meryl
A female given name from Scottish Gaelic, variant of Muriel.
Every Meryl since 1892 — 5,599 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Meryl
Meryl is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #8,689 in 2025 with 12 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1892, 5,599 American babies have been named Meryl — about 92% girls and 8% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1956, when 156 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1950s.
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 Meryl stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Meryl year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | #8,689 | — | — |
| 2024 | 23 | #5,554 | — | — |
| 2023 | 20 | #6,098 | — | — |
| 2022 | 16 | #7,188 | — | — |
| 2021 | 17 | #6,884 | — | — |
| 2020 | 22 | #5,602 | — | — |
| 2019 | 22 | #5,735 | — | — |
| 2018 | 25 | #5,278 | — | — |
| 2017 | 20 | #6,213 | — | — |
| 2016 | 30 | #4,702 | — | — |
| 2015 | 50 | #3,290 | — | — |
| 2014 | 29 | #4,858 | — | — |
| 2013 | 18 | #6,930 | — | — |
| 2012 | 34 | #4,355 | — | — |
| 2011 | 17 | #7,322 | — | — |
| 2010 | 18 | #7,123 | — | — |
| 2009 | 27 | #5,333 | — | — |
| 2008 | 17 | #7,636 | — | — |
| 2007 | 22 | #6,254 | — | — |
| 2006 | 25 | #5,492 | — | — |
| 2005 | 25 | #5,205 | — | — |
| 2004 | 15 | #7,700 | — | — |
| 2003 | 22 | #5,544 | — | — |
| 2002 | 20 | #5,827 | — | — |
| 2001 | 11 | #9,155 | — | — |
| 2000 | 19 | #5,863 | — | — |
| 1995 | 33 | #3,401 | — | — |
| 1990 | 49 | #2,478 | — | — |
| 1985 | 72 | #1,644 | — | — |
| 1980 | 63 | #1,755 | — | — |
| 1975 | 14 | #4,500 | — | — |
| 1970 | 34 | #2,292 | — | — |
| 1965 | 51 | #1,567 | — | — |
| 1960 | 100 | #1,079 | — | — |
| 1955 | 125 | #870 | 9 | #2,907 |
| 1950 | 124 | #780 | 6 | #3,570 |
| 1945 | 69 | #912 | 6 | #3,209 |
| 1940 | 15 | #2,180 | — | — |
| 1935 | 25 | #1,502 | 7 | #3,157 |
| 1930 | 37 | #1,244 | 12 | #2,403 |
| 1925 | 35 | #1,366 | 17 | #1,985 |
| 1920 | 32 | #1,432 | 13 | #2,413 |
| 1915 | 19 | #1,772 | 10 | #2,562 |
| 1910 | 8 | #1,884 | — | — |
| 1905 | 8 | #1,498 | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Meryl
- Meryl Streep Actor · b. 1949
- Meryl Davis Skater · b. 1987
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Meryl mean?
A female given name from Scottish Gaelic, variant of Muriel.
How popular is the name Meryl in 2025?
Meryl ranked #8,689 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 12 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Meryl?
5,599 babies have been named Meryl in the United States since 1892, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Meryl most popular?
Meryl peaked in 1956, when 156 newborns received the name.
Is Meryl a boy or girl name?
Meryl is used for both: about 92% of babies named Meryl have been girls and 8% boys.
Is the name Meryl rising or falling?
Meryl is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Meryl?
Well-known people named Meryl include Meryl Streep (actor), Meryl Davis (skater).