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Home › Baby Names Directory › Meri

Meri

♀ Girl

Pronounced MEH-ree /ˈmɛ.ri/Medium

Meaning: A name used in several cultures, variously the Finnish meri ('the sea') and a short form of Mary/Meredith ('beloved; of the sea; bitter'); routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: The sea; beloved: Meri is Finnish/Hebrew. Crisp, classic, and warm (said 'MEH-ree').
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Origin LowFinnish, Hebrew
MeaningA name used in several cultures, variously the Finnish meri ('the sea') and a short form of Mary/Meredith ('beloved; of the sea; bitter'); routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#10632 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births9 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1961
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,502

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 196119172025

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

Meri is a name used in several cultures, variously the Finnish meri ('the sea') and a short form of Mary/Meredith ('beloved; of the sea; bitter'; routes layered, which we note). A crisp, classic name (said 'MEH-ree').

In the U.S. it appears in Finnish families. Rare, the-sea at the root, and classic.

Did you know? Meri means 'the sea' in Finnish; it is also a short form of Mary ('beloved; of the sea') — a crisp, classic name (the routes are layered, which we note; said 'MEH-ree').
Overall data confidence 34%
References — Meri — routes layered

Variations

MerriMaryMari

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Meri…

Mari— a kin spelling
Merit— a sound-neighbor Mer- girls' name
Meredith— a name it can shorten
Mira— a companion 'sea' girls' name

Explore names like Meri

By themeuncertainhebrewfinnish
By meaningLoveSea / Water

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Meri mean?

Meri is Finnish for 'the sea'; also a short form of Mary ('beloved'); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Meri?

It's said MEH-ree /ˈmɛ.ri/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Meri a boy or girl name?

Meri is a girl's name.

How popular is Meri?

Meri is a very rare name in the U.S.

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