Find out how popular the first name Mercy has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Mercy by gender

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

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 328 female babies and 27 male babies born with the name Mercy.

Yes—according to the SSA data, 27 baby boys were named Mercy in 2023, despite it being a predominantly female name. We'd love to know why!

The history of the first name Mercy

The name Mercy has its origins in the Latin word "misericordia", which means compassion or pity. It first appeared as a virtue name in medieval Christian tradition, embodying the concept of forgiveness and kindness towards others.

The name gained popularity during the Middle Ages, particularly among English Puritans who valued virtuous names for their children. It was seen as a representation of divine mercy and grace, reflecting the Christian belief in God's willingness to forgive sinners.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Mercy can be found in the Domesday Book, a medieval census commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The name appears in various spellings, such as Merci and Mercie, indicating its widespread use during that time.

In literature, the name Mercy is prominently featured in John Bunyan's allegory "The Pilgrim's Progress" (1678), where Mercy is a character who accompanies the protagonist Christian on his journey to the Celestial City. This literary work significantly contributed to the name's popularity among Puritans and Protestants.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Mercy. One of the earliest was Mercy Otis Warren (1728-1814), an American writer and playwright who played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War as a propagandist and historian.

Another prominent figure was Mercy Sunderland (1646-1672), who was accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials and eventually pardoned after spending over a year in prison. Her case shed light on the injustices of the trials and became a symbol of religious persecution.

In the 19th century, Mercy Philbrick (1807-1892) was a renowned American educator and advocate for women's rights. She established several schools for girls and fought for equal educational opportunities for women.

Mercy Otis Warren, an American writer and playwright, was born in 1728 and died in 1814. She played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War as a propagandist and historian.

Mercy Sunderland, born in 1646 and died in 1672, was a victim of the Salem Witch Trials. She spent over a year in prison after being accused of witchcraft but was eventually pardoned, shedding light on the injustices of the trials.

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

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

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