Find out how popular the first name Meret has been for the last 1 years (from 2013 to 2013) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Meret by gender

Based on the last 1 years of data, Meret is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2013, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Meret.

The history of the first name Meret

The name Meret has its origins in ancient Egyptian culture, dating back to the early dynastic period around 3100–2686 BC. It is derived from the ancient Egyptian word "mry.t," which means "beloved" or "cherished one." The name was particularly popular among the ruling classes and nobility during the Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom periods.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Meret can be found in the Pyramid Texts, a collection of ancient Egyptian funerary inscriptions from the late Old Kingdom. These texts mention a queen consort named Meret-ites, who was the wife of Pharaoh Pepi II, ruling during the 6th Dynasty (c. 2278–2184 BC).

In the Middle Kingdom, around 2055–1650 BC, there was a notable woman named Meret-Amun, who held the prestigious title of "God's Wife of Amun" at the temple of Amun in Thebes (modern-day Luxor). This position was highly influential and powerful, as the "God's Wife" was considered the earthly representative of the goddess Mut.

During the New Kingdom period (c. 1550–1070 BC), a woman named Meret-Ptah served as the chief physician and overseer of the royal harim (women's quarters) during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep III (c. 1388–1351 BC). Her tomb, discovered in Thebes, provides valuable insights into the medical practices and daily life of the ancient Egyptians.

Moving forward in time, the name Meret also appears in the Book of the Dead, an ancient Egyptian funerary text used from the beginning of the New Kingdom to around 50 BC. One of the spells in the book is dedicated to a woman named Meret-tef-es, who was a singer and musician in the temple of Amun during the 19th Dynasty (c. 1292–1189 BC).

Another notable figure with the name Meret was Meret-Amun, a powerful and influential priestess who lived during the 22nd Dynasty (c. 945–715 BC) in the city of Thebes. She was the daughter of the High Priest of Amun, Pinudjem I, and held the prestigious title of "Divine Adoratrice of Amun" at the Karnak Temple complex.

These are just a few examples of the historical significance and longevity of the name Meret in ancient Egyptian culture. The name has endured for thousands of years and has been associated with influential women from various social strata, including royalty, nobility, priestesses, and respected professionals.

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

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