Baby Names US
girls' name ★ peaked 1971

Meridith

Meaning A female given name from Welsh, variant of Meredith Gender Girl · 1% boys Rank 2025 Below top lists

A female given name from Welsh, variant of Meredith.

Rank 2025
–
among girls
Babies in 2025
<5
named Meridith
How common
–
girls born in 2025
Peak year
1971
104 babies
All-time total
2,684
#3,889 all-time among girls
First recorded
1917
in Social Security records

Meridith popularity over time

2,684 babies have been named Meridith since 1917, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure
Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras
0.020.040.060.0818801900192019401960198020002020GirlsBoys
GirlsBoys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade Girls Boys Total Per year Change Best rank
1880s – – – – – –
1890s – – – – – –
1900s – – – – – –
1910s – 5 5 1 – –
1920s – 12 12 1 +140% –
1930s 7 5 12 1 0% #3,671
1940s 111 5 116 12 +867% #1,931
1950s 144 5 149 15 +28% #2,315
1960s 227 – 227 23 +52% #1,602
1970s 888 – 888 89 +291% #1,128
1980s 655 – 655 66 -26% #1,356
1990s 357 – 357 36 -45% #2,220
2000s 188 – 188 19 -47% #4,255
2010s 69 – 69 7 -63% #8,077
2020s (to 2025) 6 – 6 1 -86% #14,675

The story of Meridith

Meridith is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1917, 2,684 American babies have been named Meridith. Its peak came in 1971, when 104 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1970s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Meridith stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Meridith?

The median living Meridith is about 46 years old; half are between 36 and 53. An estimated 2,500 people named Meridith are alive in the United States today.

median 46 020406080100

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Meridith year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year Girls Girls rank Boys Boys rank
2025 – – – –
2024 – – – –
2023 – – – –
2022 – – – –
2021 6 #14,675 – –
2020 – – – –
2019 7 #13,342 – –
2018 – – – –
2017 – – – –
2016 7 #13,878 – –
2015 6 #15,770 – –
2014 9 #11,633 – –
2013 9 #11,664 – –
2012 15 #8,077 – –
2011 7 #14,328 – –
2010 9 #11,936 – –
2009 14 #8,749 – –
2008 12 #9,891 – –
2007 15 #8,397 – –
2006 15 #8,115 – –
2005 20 #6,174 – –
2004 15 #7,699 – –
2003 25 #5,048 – –
2002 18 #6,307 – –
2001 25 #4,787 – –
2000 29 #4,255 – –
1995 27 #3,944 – –
1990 58 #2,220 – –
1985 52 #2,062 – –
1980 93 #1,356 – –
1975 69 #1,494 – –
1970 79 #1,339 – –
1965 19 #2,891 – –
1960 9 #4,663 – –
1955 19 #2,608 – –
1950 19 #2,315 – –
1945 12 #2,697 – –
1940 6 #4,196 – –
1935 – – – –
1930 – – – –
1925 – – – –
1920 – – – –
1915 – – – –
1910 – – – –
1905 – – – –
1900 – – – –
1895 – – – –
1890 – – – –
1885 – – – –
1880 – – – –

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Meridith, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Meridith?

The median living Meridith is about 46 years old. Half of all living Meridiths are between 36 and 53 years old.

How many people named Meridith are alive today?

An estimated 2,500 people named Meridith are alive in the United States, based on 2,684 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Meridith mean?

A female given name from Welsh, variant of Meredith.

How popular is the name Meridith in 2025?

Meridith did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Meridith?

2,684 babies have been named Meridith in the United States since 1917, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Meridith most popular?

Meridith peaked in 1971, when 104 newborns received the name.

Is Meridith a boy or girl name?

Meridith is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 99% of babies with the name.

Is the name Meridith rising or falling?

Meridith is declining, less popular now than a decade ago.

Names like Meridith

Names that sound and feel close to Meridith: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Meridith with similar names → More names starting with M →