Find out how popular the first name Mercede has been for the last 36 years (from 1979 to 2014) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mercede by gender

Based on the last 36 years of data, Mercede is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2014, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Mercede.

The history of the first name Mercede

The name Mercede is derived from the Spanish and Italian word "merced," which means "mercy" or "grace." It is believed to have its roots in the Latin word "merces," which means "reward" or "payment." The name has been in use since the Middle Ages and is closely associated with the Roman Catholic Church.

In the 13th century, there was a Spanish religious order called the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, also known as the Mercedarians. This order was founded to ransom Christian captives from the Moors during the Reconquista. The name Mercede became popular among Spanish and Italian Catholics, as it was associated with the Virgin Mary's mercy and the work of the Mercedarians.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mercede can be found in the 14th century Spanish literary work "El Conde Lucanor" by Don Juan Manuel. In this work, there is a character named Mercede, which suggests that the name was in use during that time period.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals with the name Mercede. One of the earliest was Mercede de Castro (1590-1674), a Spanish nun and mystic who was known for her visions and religious writings.

Another notable Mercede was Mercede Marini (1736-1799), an Italian painter and engraver who was a member of the prestigious Accademia di San Luca in Rome.

In the 19th century, there was Mercede Casati (1805-1879), an Italian composer and musician who was a pioneer in promoting women's education in music.

Mercede Camerlingo (1899-1988) was an Italian actress and singer who appeared in several films and stage productions during the early 20th century.

More recently, there was Mercede Molina (1942-2009), a Mexican-American artist and activist who was known for her vibrant paintings and advocacy for Chicano rights.

While the name Mercede has its origins in the Catholic tradition, it has been embraced by people of various backgrounds and cultures over the centuries. Its association with mercy and grace has made it a popular choice for parents seeking a meaningful and beautiful name for their child.

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 Mercede was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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