Meredith is a feminine given name of Welsh origin. It means "great sea" or "sea lord," derived from the elements mer, meaning "sea," and merch, meaning "lord" or "prince." The name was originally a title used for high-ranking women in Welsh society.
The name Meredith has a long history, dating back to medieval Wales. In the 12th century, it was borne by several prominent figures, including Meredith ferch Owain, a Welsh princess who played a significant role in Welsh politics during her time. Despite its historical usage, however, Meredith remained relatively rare outside of Wales until recent times.
In the English-speaking world, Meredith gained popularity in the late 20th century and has since become increasingly common. Today, it is often used as an independent given name but can also serve as a middle name or even a surname in some cases.
Overall, Meredith is a strong and unique feminine name with a rich history and meaningful origin. Its association with the sea makes it a popular choice for parents who wish to give their daughters a name that evokes a sense of power and majesty.
The statistics provided show the annual number of babies named Meredith born in the United States from 1915 to 1948. During this period, there were a total of 63 girls named Meredith. The years with the highest number of Meredith births were 1927 and 1938, each having 8 and 7 babies respectively. Conversely, the years with the lowest numbers of Meredith births were consistently around 5 babies per year, which occurred nine times throughout this period. This data demonstrates that the name Meredith was relatively uncommon during these decades in the United States.