Meaning & origin
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1880. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Merida through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 1,572
- 5 boys · 1,567 girls
- Most popular year
- 2017
- 116 babies
- 2025
- 65
- #2,677 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −22%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 65 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 2,677 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 21.7% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for girls was 116 in 2017. In 2025, Texas had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (11). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 1,572 as a first name in 2020; 4,503 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.
Merida’s family of names
In English usage, Merida has a diminutive in Meri.
Inner ring: spellings · outer: nicknames and forms.
Nicknames & forms 3
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 1
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Merida, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Avila
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“one who listens well” · “one who is heard”
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