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Home › Baby Names Directory › Merrill

Merrill

♀ Girl

Pronounced MEH-ril /ˈmɛr.ɪl/Medium

Meaning: From the English surname Merrill, derived either from the medieval female name Muriel ('shining sea') or from 'merry hill; pleasant.' A surname turned first name, used here for a girl though it leans to boys.Low

In 30 seconds: A surname-name: Merrill means 'shining sea' or 'pleasant' (said 'MEH-ril'). More often a boy's — we note the lean.
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Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the English surname Merrill, derived either from the medieval female name Muriel ('shining sea') or from 'merry hill; pleasant.' A surname turned first name, used here for a girl though it leans to boys.
U.S. rank (2024)#12975 ↗ Rising
2024 U.S. births7 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1949
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,069

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 195019052024

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

Merrill is an English surname, from the female name Muriel ('shining sea') or from 'merry hill; pleasant,' carried into first-name use. As a girl's name it is rare and reads surname-crisp; more often a boy's, which we note (said 'MEH-ril').

For girls it appears only rarely in the U.S., against heavier boys' use. Rare, surname-style, and crisp.

Did you know? Merrill is an English surname — from Muriel, 'shining sea,' or from 'merry hill' — turned given name. Used here for a girl, though it leans strongly to boys, which we note (said 'MEH-ril').
Overall data confidence 46%
References — Merrill — English surname; from Muriel 'shining sea'; boy-leaning

Variations

MerylMurielMerill

Nicknames

MerryMer

Famous Bearers

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If you like Merrill…

Meryl— a like spelling from the same root
Muriel— the 'shining sea' name behind it
Merrick— a like surname-style name
Everly— a like modern surname pick

Explore names like Merrill

By themeenglishsurnamecross-sexunisex-lean-boy

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Merrill mean?

Merrill is an English surname, from Muriel ('shining sea') or 'merry hill; pleasant,' now used as a first name.

How do you pronounce Merrill?

It's said MEH-ril /ˈmɛr.ɪl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Merrill a boy or girl name?

Merrill is used for both, but far more often for boys — we note the lean.

How popular is Merrill?

Merrill is rare for girls in the U.S. and more common for boys.

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