Merit

♀ Girl

Pronounced MER-it /ˈmɛr.ɪt/High

Meaning: From the English word merit, 'worthiness; excellence; deserving' (from Latin meritum, 'a reward; that which is earned'); also Egyptian Merit, 'beloved'; a word/virtue-name; we note the word-nameLow

In 30 seconds: Merit; worthiness; excellence: Merit is a word/virtue-name. Crisp, modern, and warm.

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Origin LowLatin, English

MeaningFrom the English word merit, 'worthiness; excellence; deserving' (from Latin meritum, 'a reward; that which is earned'); also Egyptian Merit, 'beloved'; a word/virtue-name; we note the word-name

U.S. rank (2025)#3154 ↗ Rising

2025 U.S. births51 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2025

Total births (all-time)≈ 316

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

Merit comes from the English word merit, 'worthiness; excellence; deserving' (from Latin meritum, 'a reward; that which is earned'); it also matches Egyptian Merit, 'beloved' (a word/virtue-name; we note the word-name). A crisp, modern name (said 'MER-it').

In the U.S. it registers thinly. Rare, worthiness-and-excellence at the root, and modern.

Did you know? Merit means 'worthiness; excellence; deserving' (from Latin meritum, 'that which is earned') — and is also Egyptian Merit, 'beloved' — a crisp, modern virtue-name (we note the word-name; said 'MER-it').

Overall data confidence 36%

References — Merit — word/virtue-name

Variations

MerrittMerittMerit

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Merit…

Merritt— a kin spelling

Mercy— a fellow virtue word-name

Verity— a companion virtue word-name

Amity— another virtue word-name

Explore names like Merit

By themeuncertain english latin word-name virtue-name

By meaningLove

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Merit mean?

Merit is a word/virtue-name — 'worthiness; excellence; deserving' (Latin); also Egyptian 'beloved'. We note the word-name.

How do you pronounce Merit?

It's said MER-it /ˈmɛr.ɪt/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Merit a boy or girl name?

Merit is used here as a girl's name; as a word-name it suits either.

How popular is Merit?

Merit is a rare name in the U.S.