Mercie
A feminine given name originating from French for "mercy" or "compassion".
Name Census estimates that about 269 living Americans carry the first name Mercie. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Mercie today is around 29 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Mercie births was 2019 (20 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Mercie. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
People living today
269
~ 1 in 1,274,180 Americans
Peak year
2019
20 babies that year
Average age
29
years old
2023 SSA rank
#9,398
Tracked since 1902
Popularity
Mercie: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Mercie from the 1900s through to the 2020s, spanning 12 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 2010s, with 95 total registrations. Although the numbers have come down from the 2010s peak, Mercie remains solidly in use and shows no sign of disappearing from maternity wards.
Babies born per year
Decades
Mercie by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Mercie during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Geography
Where Mercies live
The SSA's state-level files cover 3 states and territories. Louisiana, Texas, California recorded the most babies named Mercie, while California, Texas, Louisiana recorded the fewest. The average across all reporting states is about 6 registrations each.
Origin
Meaning and history of Mercie
The name Mercie has its roots in the French language, originating from the word "merci," which means "thanks" or "mercy." This name likely emerged during the medieval period in France, reflecting the cultural and religious significance of gratitude and compassion.
In the early centuries of Christianity, the concept of mercy was deeply revered, and names associated with this virtue gained popularity across Europe. The name Mercie may have been bestowed upon children as a reminder of the importance of showing gratitude and extending kindness to others.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mercie can be found in the 13th century, when a noblewoman named Mercie de Montfort was mentioned in historical records from the region of Brittany, France. This suggests that the name was already in use among the aristocracy during that time.
In the 15th century, a notable figure named Mercie Peletier lived in Paris and was celebrated for her philanthropic efforts in caring for the poor and destitute. Her legacy as a compassionate individual may have contributed to the name's continued use and positive associations.
During the 16th century, the name Mercie appeared in several literary works, including the writings of the French poet and playwright, Pierre de Ronsard. This suggests that the name had gained cultural significance and was recognized within artistic circles.
In the 17th century, Mercie de Munchhausen, a German noblewoman, gained prominence for her involvement in political and social affairs. Her influence and reputation may have further popularized the name across Europe.
Another noteworthy individual bearing the name Mercie was Mercie Lacoste, a French painter who lived in the late 18th century and was known for her portraits and landscapes. Her artistic contributions likely brought additional recognition to the name during that period.
Over the centuries, the name Mercie has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, each contributing to its rich cultural and historical significance. While its origins lie in the French language, the name has transcended borders and continues to be appreciated for its associations with compassion, gratitude, and kindness.
People
Mercie + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Mercie as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Mercie: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Mercie?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 269 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Mercie going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 1,274,180 US residents.
Is Mercie a common name?
We classify Mercie as "Very Rare". It ranks above 78% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 480 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Mercie most popular?
The single biggest year for Mercie was 2019, when 20 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Mercie is about 29 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Mercie a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Mercie in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.