Find out how popular the first name Merari has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Merari by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Merari is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 98% of people named Merari being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 13 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Merari.

The history of the first name Merari

The name Merari traces its origins to the Hebrew language and culture, originating in ancient times. It is derived from the Hebrew root words "mar" meaning "bitter" and "ri" meaning "vision" or "seer." The name is believed to have been first used during the biblical period, as it appears in the Book of Genesis as the name of one of the sons of Levi.

In the biblical account, Merari was one of the three sons of Levi, the others being Gershon and Kohath. The Merarites were responsible for carrying the boards, bars, pillars, and sockets of the Tabernacle during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. The name Merari is also mentioned in the Book of Numbers, where it refers to the Levite clan descended from Merari.

One of the earliest recorded individuals bearing the name Merari was a Jewish scholar and philosopher who lived in the 12th century CE. Known as Merari ben Shlomo, he was a prominent figure in the Jewish community of Ramerupt, France, and wrote several works on Jewish law and ethics.

In the 16th century, Merari ben Yitzchak Katz was a renowned Kabbalist and rabbinical scholar from Cracow, Poland. He authored several important works on Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism, including the influential book "Sefer Merari."

Another notable figure was Merari Norzi, an Italian Jewish scholar and philosopher who lived in the 16th century. He was known for his commentary on the Bible and his work on Hebrew grammar and linguistics.

In more recent times, Merari Maor was an Israeli scholar and expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls. Born in 1925, he made significant contributions to the study and interpretation of these ancient manuscripts.

While the name Merari is not as common today as it was in ancient times, it continues to hold significance within Jewish and Hebrew culture, carrying the weight of its biblical and historical roots.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Merari was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Merari, please contact us.

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