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Meril

OriginEnglish
Meaning"sea-bright; pleasant hill"

About Meril

Meril is a concise, elegant name that can be used for either gender, though it appears more frequently as feminine. It likely derives from multiple origins, including possible connections to the Latin 'merula' meaning 'blackbird,' or as a variation of Merrill, which has Old French roots meaning 'famous sea' or 'bright sea.' The name may also be related to Meryl, a Welsh-derived name meaning 'sparkling sea.' Meril has a crisp, modern sound despite its traditional etymology, appealing to parents seeking something distinctive yet accessible. The name's brevity makes it practical while its soft consonants give it a gentle quality. Though uncommon in most English-speaking countries, Meril has seen occasional use in France and Scandinavian countries. Its rarity allows a child to shape their own identity around the name, while its intuitive spelling and pronunciation prevent confusion.

Pronounced MER-il.

As of October 2026, Meril ranked #6252 in US births in 1953 SSA, peaked at #5137 in 1943.

AI-written. Reviewed by Pamela Redmond

Sources: US popularity data is from the Social Security Administration. Meanings and origins are from Nameberry's name references.

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Meril on lists

Famous Merils

  • Meril Beilmann

    Estonian biathlete

  • Meril Lovelace Lagasse (b. 2004)

    daughter of American celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse

Meril in pop culture

  • Meril Inugami

    character in video game "Shaman King: Power of Spirit"

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