Merit

Primarily a girl's name of Egyptian origin with 265 recorded births. Also given to 206 boys.

Girl's nameAlso boy's#7446 in 2024Rising fast

Meaning & Origin

a female given name from English

Merit is a girl's and boy's baby name of Egyptian origin, from the ancient Egyptian word meaning 'beloved' — as in Merit-Ra, 'beloved of Ra,' a title of Egyptian queens. It also overlaps with the English virtue word, conferring worth earned through character.

Merit is used for both boys and girls, though it leans feminine in American usage. It belongs to the family of virtue names — like Grace, Honor, and True — that feel quietly aspirational.

EtymologyShow more

Merit is cataloged under the Egyptian naming tradition. Names from the Egyptian tradition carry linguistic and cultural patterns that shape their sound, structure, and associations.

In the U.S., Merit has been recorded as a girl's name since 1965, with 265 total births. Browse the Egyptian names hub on this site to explore the broader family.

At a Glance

265

Total births

Since 1965

2023

Peak

26 births

1965

First recorded

60 years of data

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Popularity Over Time

Merit climbed 7977 spots in the last 20 years — from #15423 to #7446.

First appeared: 1965Peak: 2023 (26 births)Current: #7446

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Merit
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	80	#7535	▼
2010s	109	#10476	▲
2000s	42	#14707	▲
1990s	5	#14584	▼
1980s	11	#10949	▲
1970s	7	#6801	▼
1960s	11	#7253	—

The Story of Merit

A Gen Alpha name

Peaking in 2023, Merit is a fresh, modern favorite. Girls named Merit are most likely born between 2013 and 2024.

How rare is Merit?

Only about 1 in every 240,000 babies born in 2024 was named Merit — a truly uncommon choice.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1965, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 2010s with 109 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.

Merit by the numbers

Would fill 6 school buses

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(27 years, 1965–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Merit
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	15	#7446	-11 (-42.3%)
2023	26	#5082	+12 (85.7%)
2022	14	#7911	0
2021	14	#7890	+3 (27.3%)
2020	11	#9345	-5 (-31.3%)
2019	16	#7227	+8 (100.0%)
2018	8	#12125	-5 (-38.5%)
2017	13	#8620	+2 (18.2%)
2016	11	#9863	-1 (-8.3%)
2015	12	#9319	+3 (33.3%)
2014	9	#11631	-2 (-18.2%)
2013	11	#10022	+3 (37.5%)
2012	8	#13044	+1 (14.3%)
2011	7	#14328	-7 (-50.0%)
2010	14	#8577	+8 (133.3%)
2008	6	#16802	-1 (-14.3%)
2007	7	#14944	-2 (-22.2%)
2006	9	#12080	0
2005	9	#11528	+3 (50.0%)
2004	6	#15423	+1 (20.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Merit as a Boy's Name

Merit is a true unisex name. As a boy's name, it has 206 recorded births since 1918.

#6338

Current rank

206

Total births

2014

Peak year

Compare Merit as girl vs boy

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Merit a boy's or girl's name?

Merit is primarily a girl's name. It is also used as a boy's name, with 206 recorded births.

When was Merit most popular?

Merit reached its peak popularity in 2023 with 26 births that year. It is currently ranked #7446 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Merit?

Merit is currently ranked #7446 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 265 babies since 1965.

Can Merit be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Merit is used for both boys and girls. As a girl's name, it currently ranks #7446. As a boy's name, it ranks #6338.

Explore More

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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1965–2024