Name of the Day: Meredith
Addison. Callie. Isobel. Finn. Much has been made of Grey’s Anatomy, and the hit show’s impact on baby names. But there’s one that hasn’t taken off: Dr. Grey’s first name, Meredith.
Thanks to Corinne for suggesting our Name of the Day.
Meredith sounds smart. It’s a fitting choice for a doctor, fictional or not. While many Welsh names sound romantic, even fanciful – think Rhiannon and Gwendolyn – Meredith sounds quite down-to-earth.
Once upon a time, Meredith was more commonly used for men. The source is debated. While the last bit almost certainly comes from ludd – lord – the first part could reference either the word for great or sea. Mareludd, Maredudd and Meredydd all appear in the historical record, making for an etymological question mark.
Somewhere between the name’s debut and the present time, it also became a surname. We can’t help think of actor Burgess Meredith, perhaps best known as Mickey in the Rocky movies. And like several other names, it also came into use for women.
Since the 20th century, most bearers of the name have indeed been female. In addition to Dr. Grey, the small screen boasts Meredith Viera, formerly of ABC’s The View and presently co-host of NBC’s Today. Meredith Baxter was mom to Alex, Mallory and Jennifer Keaton on Family Ties.
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For Verity and “Meredith” 11/17/08
I always thought Midge was “the all purpose, starts with ‘M’ nickname”? Or maybe I just listen to my almost 70 yo ‘MIL’ too much.
I’m not a major fan of Meredith. I prefer just the latter half of the name: Edith. The Mer- part does nothing for me. I would rather see Meredith than Morgan, Madison or Charlotte though; I like her strength but not her sound. And Meri/Merry just brings me down a bit. I mean, what if she goes though a Goth phase, as I did? What if she’s just like one of my friends, an almost always sort of downer? (Yeah, she can find the bad in anything, she scares me a bit, but she’s got a wicked sense of the absurd, which makes up for it).
I find Meredith nicer than some names and stiffer than others. She’s most definitely not for me but I don’t mind her much on others. Yeah, I like her strength, he polish and her smooth feel but I dislike her surnamey roots (and like you, Burgess Meredith is my first thought; how could anyone think of him and then take Meredith girly?) I loved him in “Clash of the Titans” when I was a kid.
All in all, I like Meredith but for anyone other than myself!
Midge … hmmm … maybe it is. Maybe it is a regional thing, or maybe it changes over time. Or maybe it’s based on ethnic background? I can’t imagine an Italian Midge …
I’m intrigued. And at a loss! Anyone have any thoughts?
Maybe it is regional, Just for reference (in case someone can shed light on Mimi/Midge) My “MIL” grew up in MA, moved to NJ as a 20 sonething and is still there. I asked her to clarify, she says her best friend Margaret was a Midge and told her that Midge was for any girl whose name started with M back in the 50′s. *shrug* beats me! I can ask her what ethnic group Margaret belonged to (but I’d be willing to guess where she grew up, WASP).
Wow, Meredith has Welsh roots, pardon my ignorance… I think my only experience of Meredith is via American culture – isn’t that stange for a Welsh name? I first became aware of her whilst watching the children’s show Annie Mac and of course the singer Meredith Brooks is another famous bearer of the name – there are probably others but those sprung to mind.
The fact that I’ve never come across a real-life Meredith tells you how popular the name is in the UK, saying that though – she doesn’t feel unusual or try-hard, more practical and friendly. Infact you summed her up brilliantly when you described her as ‘capable and confident’. Overall I quite like Meredith, I don’t have a problem with the ‘Merry’ beginning but I do have a bit of an issue with the surnamey roots, I’m just not into surname-names not even ones that don’t sound like surnames…
Oh, my little Mer! I found her first as my sister’s middle name, and it was bittersweet that Grey’s had a Meredith, to me. I thought that it would skyrocket, and figured “Hey, at least it’s a great name!” Then the people chose Addison. Now I love Addison. I love the character, I love the name (it’s my one guilty pleasure surname and my one guilty pleasure androgynous name) but I’m now sad that Meredith isn’t in the spotlight. And now it’s too far gone for a huge surge of Merediths, but I’m waiting nonetheless.
As for nicknames, I prefer Mer. Meri would be the only way to get “MEHR-ree”, Merry is too Christmas-ey for me. Mimi might be a stretch, though I have seen Merideth and Mirideth before, so maybe Miri? Not sure how you’d say it though…
I used to think she’d fit in quite well with my Gemma & Veronica, but I’m not so sure anymore.
I have to admit that I’m a little bit in love with Grey’s Anatomy *shame*, so I will usually see Meredith as a name to don a girl that is obviously hard working and confident, but is always a little down – or at the very least, pessimistic. Like Katharine, here in Australia I have never met a real-life Meredith, so the only preconceptions I have of her really, are from Grey’s!
Overall, I like her sound – as strong but not too harsh – but she isn’t for me.
Meredith’s not for me but I think it’s pleasant sounding and certainly not overused. And feminine, except in Wales. Meri’s alright but would lead to jokes when you are not feeling merry.
Sophie, as a TV addict, I find no shame in loving anything on the tube! After all, the small screen has launched more names than I can list.
So I’m showing my age, but the one thing that troubles me about Meredith is that I tend to glance at the name and see Megadeth, as in the 80s metal band. It wasn’t my kind of music, but I grew up with big-haired cousins. I suspect this is a minority reaction, but it makes me even less willing to consider spellings like Merideth.
Still, I can see Miri working for a nickname. It’s less of a stretch than Mimi, and sidesteps the jolly holly vibe of Meri. In the Seth Rogen/Elizabeth Banks movie, Miri is short for Miriam – but I don’t know many Miriams these days.
I like Meredith a lot. I’ve only known one Meredith — she was a little girl who lived down the street from my grandmother’s house.
The name sounds strong and sophisticated but still fresh and kind of breath-y, if that makes sense. I think I like the “th” ending that isn’t seen too often (except on Elizabeth and a few very dated-sounding two-syllable names). Meredith’s not at the top of my list, but she’s one I’d readily go for if my husband ever suggested it.
I’ve known 3 Merediths, plus it’s my sister-in-law’s middle name, and her 2 year old daughter’s first name. It seems to have been very popular in my East coast area – all the ones I knew growing up were around my age. I’ve never liked it and this was helped along by the fact that the one I knew best was the meanest, cruelest, most spiteful person I knew in my tween years. I can’t like the name, despite my sweet niece and her delicious hugs.
What about Miriam as a name of the day?!
I’m here to give Meredith some love! I had not realized it but I don’t think I have ever met a Meredith IRL in Central California. I’ve always thought it’s a great name and I have recommended for others who are looking for a “frills-free” name. I’ll choose Meredith over Lindsey any day! I can see Meredith as an athlete, a cheerleader, a dancer, a principal, the president of a bank, a mom, a CEO. The name can fit a sports lover as well as Martha Stewart type. Since I’m not into nicknames she’d always be Meredith to me.
Myyyy name is Meredith! I did not like it all until recently, but now I do. I’m definitely the “frills-free” type. Oh, and I am a dancer!
Sadly, in entertainment save for Grey’s lately, Meredith has become a “mean girl” name- see the mean almost-stepmom in the new “Parent Trap” and the villain in the live-action “Bratz” movie for examples.
As for me, despite two negative associations, I like the name.
I have seen Maradeth and Merideth and do not like those however.