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Merilee

♀ Girl

How to Pronounce Merilee

Pronounced MERR-ih-lee /ˈmɛr.ɪ.li/Medium

Meaning: Merilee is a variant of Marilee, usually read as a compound of Mary and Lee, and also playing on the cheerful word 'merrily'. Mary comes from Hebrew Miriam, read 'beloved' or 'bitter'; Lee is an English surname from a word for 'clearing or meadow'. It is a mid-century American double name.Low

In 30 seconds: Merilee is a variant of Marilee — a Mary-and-Lee compound that also plays on the happy word 'merrily'.

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Origin LowEnglish, Hebrew

MeaningMerilee is a variant of Marilee, usually read as a compound of Mary and Lee, and also playing on the cheerful word 'merrily'. Mary comes from Hebrew Miriam, read 'beloved' or 'bitter'; Lee is an English surname from a word for 'clearing or meadow'. It is a mid-century American double name.

U.S. rank (2014)#18345 ↘ Falling

2014 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1961

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,150

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

Merilee is a variant of Marilee, a compound of Mary and Lee with a nod to 'merrily'. Mary derives from Miriam, 'beloved'; Lee means 'clearing'. A mid-century double name, Merilee reached its high around 1961.

It reads as light and buoyant, its three soft beats echoing the merry word behind it. It has faded since mid-century but keeps a sunny, old-fashioned charm.

Did you know? Merilee doubles as a pun: it reads as a Mary-Lee compound and as the word 'merrily', giving the name a built-in note of cheer.

Overall data confidence 50%

References — Merilee — variant of Marilee; Mary + Lee

Variations

MarileeMaryleeMerrilee

Nicknames

MeriLee

Famous Bearers

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If you like Merilee…

Marilee— the standard spelling Merilee varies

Marylee— a close sister compound

Merrilee— a like -lee variant of the era

Marlee— shares the bright -lee ending

Explore names like Merilee

By themevintage compound mid-century

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Merilee mean?

Merilee is a variant of Marilee, a compound of Mary ('beloved') and Lee, also playing on 'merrily'.

How do you pronounce Merilee?

It's said MERR-ih-lee /ˈmɛr.ɪ.li/ — three syllables, stress on the first.

Is Merilee a boy or girl name?

Merilee is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Merilee?

Merilee was an uncommon double name that reached its high in the early nineteen-sixties.