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Home › Baby Names Directory › Merritt

Merritt

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAIR-it /ˈmɛr.ɪt/High

Meaning: English surname from the Old English place name Meritone or Meregate, meaning 'boundary gate'; also associated with the English word 'merit' meaning worth or deserving praise, which reinforces its appeal as a virtue nameMedium

In 30 seconds: A sharp, preppy surname-name with a built-in virtue meaning, Merritt feels like the sister name to Bennett or Emmett. It is crisp, gender-neutral on paper but increasingly used for girls seeking something distinctive.
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Origin MediumOld English
MeaningEnglish surname from the Old English place name Meritone or Meregate, meaning 'boundary gate'; also associated with the English word 'merit' meaning worth or deserving praise, which reinforces its appeal as a virtue name
U.S. rank (2025)#703 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births401 girls (0.02% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,230

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519192025

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

Merritt is an English surname of Old English origin, derived from place names meaning 'boundary gate' or 'boundary road.' As a given name it has been used in the United States since the 19th century, particularly in New England families who carried it as a family surname.

Merritt gained renewed attention in the 21st century as parents sought surname-style names with a gender-neutral feel. Its use for girls has grown noticeably since the 2010s, fitting alongside Barrett, Emerson, and Hadley as sophisticated choices for daughters.

Did you know? Though Merritt is a surname-derived name, its near-homophone with the English word merit (meaning worth or deserving) has made it feel like a subtle virtue name, adding a layer of meaning parents appreciate without it feeling overtly preachy.
Overall data confidence 80%
Behind the Name — Merritt — etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MeritMerrit

Nicknames

MeriRitt

Famous Bearers

  • ★Merritt Wever (1980-)
    American actress and Emmy winner for Nurse Jackie
  • ★Merritt Patterson (1990-)
    Canadian actress known for The Royals
  • ★Merritt Butrick (1959-1989)
    American actor who played David Marcus in Star Trek films

If you like Merritt…

Barrett— shares the sharp double-t ending and unisex surname-name sophistication
Emerson— fellow preppy surname-name trending strongly for girls in the same era
Hadley— parallel two-syllable surname with the same crisp upscale feel
Bennett— shares the double-t ending rhythm and polished literary surname energy

Explore names like Merritt

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Merritt mean?

Merritt is an Old English surname derived from place names meaning 'boundary gate.' Its near-homophone with the word 'merit' also lends it a subtle virtue connotation.

How do you pronounce Merritt?

Merritt is pronounced MAIR-it /ˈmɛr.ɪt/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Merritt a girl or boy name?

Merritt has historically been used for both sexes as a surname-name. In recent years it has trended more heavily as a girls name in the U.S.

Is Merritt a popular name?

Merritt is a rising choice in the U.S., gaining traction in the 2010s and 2020s among parents drawn to preppy, surname-style names for girls.

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