Meredith is a feminine given name of Welsh origin. It is derived from the Welsh elements mered, which means "great," andudd, meaning "lord" or "leader." Therefore, the name Meredith can be interpreted as "great lord" or "magnificent leader."
The name has been in use since at least the Middle Ages in Wales, where it was often bestowed upon girls born into noble families. Over time, the name spread beyond Wales and became popular in other parts of the United Kingdom and eventually in other English-speaking countries.
In literature, one of the most famous bearers of the name Meredith is the character Meredith Grey from the television series "Grey's Anatomy." However, it should be noted that this character's name was inspired by the American singer-songwriter Meredith Brooks, rather than having any direct connection to the Welsh origins of the name.
Overall, Meredith is a strong and regal-sounding name with a long history and meaningful origins. It has been passed down through generations in Wales and beyond, and continues to be chosen by parents today for its classic yet distinctive sound.
Based on the statistics provided for the name Meredith in the United States over several years:
* There were an equal number of babies named Meredith born each year between 1977 and 1981, with six births annually.
* The trend continued until the late 1990s, with a slight decrease in popularity during certain periods.
* In total, there have been twenty-nine children named Meredith born over these years combined.
These numbers indicate that while the name Meredith was not extremely popular or common during this timeframe, it did maintain a steady presence among newborn girls' names. The consistency in birth counts suggests that parents consistently chose Meredith as a name for their daughters throughout this span of nearly two decades.