The baby name Meredith serves as a strong traditional pick for a daughter that’s not nearly as common as many in this category.
Thanks to Corinne for suggesting our Name of the Day.
WHAT DOES THE NAME MEREDITH MEAN?
The baby name Meredith sounds smart.
It comes from Welsh roots, but compared to romantic Rhiannon, Meredith feels a little more down-to-earth.
Or make that sea, because one of the name’s possible roots is mer – which could mean sea. Ludd almost certainly refers to a lord. Variations like Mareludd, Maredudd, and Meredydd are found in then historical record. More modern interpretations give list a Meredith name meaning like “sea lord” or “protector of the sea.”
The name might also come from the Welsh mawredd, meaning greatness or magnificence. In this case, the meaning would be closer to “great lord.”
During the Middle Ages, a number of Welsh rulers are recorded as Maredudd. Maredudd ap Tudur was the great-grandfather of King Henry VII, founder of England’s Tudor dynasty.
SURNAME NAME
Somewhere between the name’s debut and the present time, Meredith became an established surname.
Actor Burgess Meredith, best known as Mickey in the Rocky movies, is probably the most famous example. Sportscaster Don Meredith is another, as is English novelist and poet George Meredith.
Fun fact: one of the most common diminutives for Meredith in Welsh was Bedo, leading to surnames like Beddow, Beddoe, and Beddoes.
UNISEX NAME
While this name was more common for males, that has shifted over the years.
Maybe that’s a reflection of potential nickname Meri. Or possibly it’s because Edith is part of the name, making it look a contraction of Mary Edith – almost.
In any case, since the 20th century, the baby name Meredith has slowly become a female name in much of the English-speaking world.
Though in Wales, it would be recognized as a traditional masculine name. While you’re more likely to hear it as a male name in the United Kingdom, many have a vague sense that Meredith, like Evelyn, has history as a unisex choice.
FAMOUS FIGURES
Since the 20th century, most bearers of the name have indeed been female.
You might think of:
- Meredith Baxter Birney, a long-time television actress, best known as Elyse Keaton on Family Ties.
- Journalist and television host Meredith Vieira was an original moderator of The View.
- Singer-songwriter Meredith Brooks scored a smash hit with “Bitch”in 1997.
- But far and away the most famous small screen Meredith? Dr. Meredith Grey of powerhouse medicial drama Grey’s Anatomy, played by actress Ellen Pompeo.
Shonda Rhimes created Grey’s Anatomy back in the early 2000s. It debuted in 2005 and remains on the air, 22 seasons later. It launched Rhimes’ career, as well as that of several stars: Patrick Dempsey, Katherine Heigl, Sandra Oh, Isaiah Washington. It’s tough to overstate the show’s cultural impact. Many character names, including Addison, Callie, and Finn, were boosted by characters and story lines.
Grey is a surgical intern, new to Seattle Grace Hospital for the show’s pilot episode. Eventually, she climbs the ranks to become the Chief of General Surgery. While it’s set in a hospital, we follow the character’s personal lives, too.
But despite our love of Meredith Grey and interest in following her story, the character’s name has not trended in recent years.
Other television series, including House, The Office, and The Vampire Diaries have all given the name to characters, too.
HOW POPULAR IS THE NAME MEREDITH?
During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the baby name Meredith hugged the fringes of the boys’ Top 1000. It never really gained traction in the United States. By the 1950s, it had fallen out of use.
Instead, Meredith debuted on the girls’ popularity charts during the 1910s.
It became a favorite during the 1970s and 80s, reaching peak use in 1980/1981, when it ranked #140.
Of course, that makes it exactly right for Dr. Grey, whose fictional biography lists a 1978 birth date.
While the name has fallen in use since then, Meredith remains a solid, familiar pick. As of 2024, it ranks a respectable #492.
It’s a substitute for more popular classics like Eleanor and Caroline, and fits with siblings named Louise and Opal.
UNDERGROUND CLASSIC
The versatility of Meredith is undeniable.
It fits with two long-term trends: the rise of gender-neutral names and a return to the classics. It’s an alternative to Avery or Alice. It doesn’t seem old-fashioned, but it’s not a new choice by any means.
The full name is perfect in professional settings. After all, the most famous Meredith is a talented surgeon, a household name even to younger generations.
If the full name seems like too much, nicknames of Meredith include Meri, Merry, or possibly Mimi or even Edie.
The baby name Meredith blends a sort of wisdom and strength with an accessible, established vibe. It’s a capable, confident name, time-tested but not too common. It works as a first or middle name, too.
All of that might make it the perfect name for your daughter.
What do you think of the baby name Meredith?
First published on November 17, 2008, this post was revised on March 9, 2026.
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. 🙁
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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). 😀
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?
For Verity and