Mercy

♀ Girl

Pronounced MER-see /ˈmɜːr.si/High

Meaning: From the Old French merci and Latin merces (reward, wages, pity), the English word mercy meaning compassionate forgiveness and divine grace; used as a Puritan virtue name expressing one of the most prized Christian qualitiesHigh

In 30 seconds: Mercy is a beautiful Latin-rooted English virtue name meaning compassion and divine grace. Beloved by the Puritans and experiencing a strong modern revival, it carries the warmth of forgiveness and the weight of scripture.

💕 Browse more names

Origin HighLatin, English

MeaningFrom the Old French merci and Latin merces (reward, wages, pity), the English word mercy meaning compassionate forgiveness and divine grace; used as a Puritan virtue name expressing one of the most prized Christian qualities

U.S. rank (2025)#867 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births313 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2019

Total births (all-time)≈ 10,626

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Mercy comes from Old French merci and Latin merces (reward, pity), the English word meaning compassionate treatment of those in distress. As a Puritan virtue name, Mercy was widely used in 17th-century New England alongside Faith, Hope, Grace, and Patience. The Puritan tradition of naming children for desired spiritual qualities was immensely influential on American naming culture.

Mercy was common in colonial America among Puritan communities but declined in the 19th and 20th centuries as virtue names fell from fashion. It is experiencing a vigorous 21st-century revival, particularly among Christian families who appreciate its deep spiritual meaning and its warm, approachable sound. It appears increasingly in popular culture as a name for strong, compassionate female characters.

Did you know? In Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice (1600), Portia delivers one of the most celebrated speeches in English literature about the quality of mercy — The quality of mercy is not strained — making Mercy one of literature's most poetically examined virtues.

Overall data confidence 93%

Behind the Name — Mercy — Latin etymology and Puritan usage historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MercieMerci

Nicknames

MerceMerci

Famous Bearers

★Mercy Otis Warren (1728–1814)
American writer and political activist of the Revolutionary era, known for her political satire and her history of the American Revolution.

If you like Mercy…

Grace— the same Puritan virtue-name tradition with a similar two-syllable soft quality

Faith— shares the Christian virtue-name heritage and the simple, direct beauty

Hope— same Puritan one-two syllable virtue name with spiritual aspiration

Verity— fellow Latin-rooted virtue name with the same serious, beautiful quality

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mercy mean?

Mercy means compassion, clemency, and divine grace — one of the most prized virtues in Christian tradition.

How do you pronounce Mercy?

It is said MER-see, with two syllables.

Is Mercy a popular name?

Mercy was common in colonial Puritan America, declined mid-history, and is now experiencing a strong revival in the 21st century.

Is Mercy a religious name?

Yes — Mercy is a Christian virtue name rooted in the concept of divine compassion and forgiveness.