Merry is a unique and distinctive female given name of English origin. It is derived from the Middle English word "meri", which means joyous or happy. The name Merry has been used in various forms throughout history, including Merie, Merrie, and Marri.
The use of Merry as a given name can be traced back to the 13th century, where it was often used as a nickname for people who were cheerful or lively. It is also associated with the Middle English phrase "merry as a cricket", which means to be very happy or contented.
In literature, the name Merry has been used by several notable authors. For example, J.R.R. Tolkien used Merry (full name: Meriadoc Brandybuck) as one of the main characters in his epic fantasy series "The Lord of the Rings". This usage has contributed to the popularity of the name in recent years.
Today, Merry remains a rare but memorable name choice for parents looking for something unique and meaningful for their daughter. It is associated with joy, happiness, and positivity, making it an attractive option for those who want their child's name to reflect these qualities. Overall, Merry is a distinctive and historic female given name that carries a lot of meaning and character behind it.
The name Merry has a unique history of popularity and fluctuation in the United States over the past century. The first recorded birth of a child named Merry was in 1898, with just five occurrences that year.
In the early 20th century, the name's popularity was relatively low, fluctuating between five to eight births per year from 1904 to 1909. However, it began to gain traction in the 1910s, with a notable spike in 1917 when there were 34 recorded births.
The 1920s saw Merry's popularity peak at 65 births in 1923, followed by a decline through the end of the decade. The Great Depression and World War II era (1930s to mid-1940s) witnessed varying levels of popularity for the name, with peaks in 1937 (88 births), 1939 (103 births), and 1942 (200 births).
Post-WWII, Merry's popularity surged significantly. The late 1940s to early 1950s marked the name's zenith with over 300 births annually between 1946 and 1954, reaching a high of 355 in 1954. However, popularity waned throughout the mid-to-late 1950s and into the 1960s, dropping to as low as 69 births in 1972.
From the late 1970s onward, Merry's popularity has oscillated between modest and infrequent occurrences. In recent years, it has maintained a consistent but low level of popularity, with annual births ranging from 10 to 32 since 2016.
In total, there have been 10,344 recorded births of the name Merry in the United States over the past century (1898-2023). While its popularity has ebbed and flowed significantly over time, Merry remains a distinctive and unique name choice for parents looking to give their child an uncommon moniker.