Discover and Shortlist Your Perfect Baby Names!

Merritt as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Merritt

Add to my Name List

The baby name Merritt is a Unisex name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced MER-it (IPA: ˈmɛrɪt).

Merritt is English in Origin.

Gender: Unisex
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: English
Pronunciation: MER-it (IPA: ˈmɛrɪt)

What is the meaning of the name Merritt ?

The baby name Merritt is a Unisex name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced MER-it (IPA: ˈmɛrɪt).

Merritt is English in Origin.

Merritt is an English surname-turned-given name rooted in medieval place names such as Merriott (Somerset). The underlying Old English elements mǣre (boundary) + geat (gate) yield the evocative meaning “boundary gate.” As a forename, it emerged in the Anglophone world through the 18th–19th‑century custom of adopting family surnames for boys, later gaining quiet unisex appeal in North America. Usage has remained modest but steady, with contemporary parents also appreciating its clean, modern sound.

Common variants and related spellings include Meritt, Merrit, Merrett, Merriott, and Merit; the last invites a secondary, virtue‑word reading of “worthiness” that many embrace today. Nicknames can span Merry and Rhett. Though never wildly popular, Merritt’s mix of heritage and positive implication gives it crossover charm - tailored enough for formal settings yet approachable and distinctive in everyday use.

Merritt has the following similar or variant Names

Merritt – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Canada Boys 2024 #302 5 2,588
EG 0 #411 2 6,387
CR Boys 0 #509 2 10,188
HK Boys 0 #557 1 12,905
SG Boys 0 #739 1 17,960
United States Girls 2024 #759 158 8,487
United States Boys 2024 #809 84 7,044
NG Girls 0 #825 2 15,093
TN 0 #865 1 13,765
EG Boys 0 #925 1 15,035
PE Boys 0 #926 1 14,506
EG Girls 0 #945 15 14,742
NG Boys 0 #1,001 1 16,906
SA Girls 0 #1,014 1 25,931
MY Boys 0 #1,182 1 25,439
ZA Boys 0 #1,272 1 25,619

Merritt is popular in 12 countries — most recent births per country:

United States
Canada
CR
EG
HK

Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!

People also ask about Merritt

Merritt is a unisex name, given to both boys and girls.
Merritt is a 2 syllable name, pronounced MER-it (IPA: ˈmɛrɪt).
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Merrit, Merit, Meritt, Merrett and Merri.
Yes — Merritt ranked #302 in Canada in 2024, and appears in official birth registries across 2 countries.
Merritt ranks highest in Canada (#302 in 2024).