Meryl

Variation of Muriel via Meriel, Irish

"of the bright sea"

Meryl Origin and Meaning

The name Meryl is a girl's name meaning "of the bright sea".

Meryl is a name that's at once rare and famous, thanks to Meryl (born Mary Louise) Streep. Streep's name is an invented short form of Mary Louise, but Meryl might also be a contraction of the unique Irish name Meriel.

Fewer than 25 baby girls were named Meryl in the US last year, perhaps because the name is so closely tied to Streep. And Meriel is even rarer -- used for fewer than five babies -- and arguably more appealing.

Meryl Rank in US Top 1000

# 856 in the US

Popularity of the name Meryl

• 1695 Nameberry 2025

20 Names Similar to Meryl

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Meryl.

• Josephina
• Lise
• Marlena
• Hosanna
• Bridgette
• Louella
• Brigitta
• Emmanuelle
• Marcelle
• Hanne
• Lorna
• Paola
• Freda
• Lisbeth
• Sonja
• Frieda
• Magda
• Brigitte
• Noreen
• Trudy

Famous People Named Meryl

• Mary Louise "Meryl" Streep American actress
• Meryl Elizabeth Davis American ice dancer
• Meryl Danielle Cassie New Zealand actress and singer
• Meryl Glynis Fernandes English actress
• Meryl Jan Getline American pilot, author, and columnist
• Meryl Tankard Australian ballerina and choreographer

The name Meryl in Pop Culture

• Meryl Burbank aka Hannah Gill character in film "The Truman Show"
• Princess Meryl character in "The Two Princesses of Bamarre" by Gail Carson Levine
• Meryl Lee Kowalski character in "The Wednesday Wars"
• Meryl Stryfe character in anime "Trigun"
• Meryl Silverburgh character in the Metal Gear video games