Given name & surname
Meredith
“a great ruler; protector of the sea”
Meredith is used as a given name and a surname. One Welsh interpretation is “a great ruler; protector of the sea.” Its derivation is not certain.
Meaning & origin
What it means
One Welsh interpretation is “a great ruler; protector of the sea.” Its derivation is not certain.
Where it comes from
A possible origin is Welsh, although the derivation remains uncertain.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1883. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Meredith through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 82,044
- 4,257 boys · 77,787 girls
- Most popular year
- 1980
- 2,087 babies
- 2025
- 656
- #469 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +4%
- Steady
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 0% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 656 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 469 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 4.4% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 2,071 in 1980. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (81). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 69,215 as a first name in 2020; 23,456 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Meredith’s family of names
In English usage, Meredith has a diminutive in Merry. In English usage, Meredith has a related form in Meridith. Meredith has a related form in Meridith.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Meredith has relatives in 3 languages. Lines run from its Welsh roots to each of them.
6 related names in 3 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 15
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 1
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Meredith
- Meredith BaxterAmerican actress and producer (born 1947)
- Meredith MonkAmerican musician (born 1942)
- Meredith BrooksAmerican singer, songwriter, musician and producerborn 1958
- Meredith MonroeAmerican actress (born 1968)born 1969
- Meredith VieiraAmerican broadcast journalist and television personality (born 1953)
- Meredith Michaels-Beerbaumequestrianborn 1969
- Meredith SalengerAmerican actressborn 1970
- Meredith EatonAmerican actressborn 1974
- Meredith Scott LynnAmerican actressborn 1970
Characters named Meredith: Meredith Grey (Grey's Anatomy), Rodney McKay (the TV series Stargate).
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Meredith, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Morgan
“circling the bright sea; a sea dweller”
22% boys · 78% girls
Kelly
“a lively and bright-headed woman”
21% boys · 79% girls
Dara
“a wise woman” · “from the oak tree”
14% boys · 86% girls
Siobhan
“God is gracious” · “a gift from God”
>99% girls
Gwendolen
“one who is fair; of the white ring”
>99% girls
Taaffe
“a river of Wales”
>99% girls
Morcan
“of the bright sea”
>99% girls
Aerona
“berry; from the river”
>99% girls