Meaning & Origin
A female given name from English.
Mercy is a girl's and boy's baby name of Latin origin, from the Latin merces meaning "compassion" or "reward," entering English as a virtue name representing divine forgiveness and compassion. It is one of the three great Christian virtues alongside Faith and Hope.
Mercy has been making a strong comeback after centuries of use — it was common in Puritan America and has returned as parents rediscover old virtue names. Actress Viola Davis's daughter Mercy and the broader revival of 19th-century names have both contributed to its resurgence.