Mercy

♂ Boy

Pronounced MUR-see /ˈmɜr.si/High

Meaning: English virtue-name from 'mercy' — Old French merci ('pity') from Latin merces ('reward, wages'); here for boysMedium

In 30 seconds: Compassion itself: Mercy is the virtue-name for divine pity and grace. Mostly a girls' name; here for boys (popular in Nigerian families), it's gentle and bold.

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Origin MediumLatin, English

MeaningEnglish virtue-name from 'mercy' — Old French merci ('pity') from Latin merces ('reward, wages'); here for boys

U.S. rank (2025)#4211 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births25 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year2023

Total births (all-time)≈ 232

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Mercy is an English virtue-name from the word mercy — via Old French merci ('pity, forgiveness') from Latin merces, 'reward, wages.' A Puritan favorite, it is overwhelmingly given to girls but appears for boys, especially in Nigerian Christian families, which this page covers.

A tender virtue-name that crosses, rarely, to boys.

Did you know? Mercy traces to Latin merces ('reward'), which gave Old French merci, 'pity' — the sense we know today; almost always a girls' name, it appears for boys in some Nigerian families.

Overall data confidence 58%

Behind the Name — Mercy — root etymology

Variations

MerciMercie

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Mercy…

Blessing— a companion virtue-name

Trust— another virtue word-name

Tracy— shares the -cy ending

Mickey— another English name

Merritt— a fellow English choice

Explore names like Mercy

By themeenglish latin unisex word-name virtue

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Mercy mean?

Mercy is the word for 'compassion, pity' (Latin merces).

How do you pronounce Mercy?

It's said MUR-see /ˈmɜr.si/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Mercy a boy or girl name?

Mercy is overwhelmingly a girls' name; this page covers its rare use for boys.

How popular is Mercy?

Mercy is very rare for boys in the U.S.