Find out how popular the first name Merit has been for the last 45 years (from 1980 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Merit by gender

Based on the last 45 years of data, Merit is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 58% of people named Merit being female.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 15 female babies and 14 male babies born with the name Merit.

The history of the first name Merit

The name Merit is believed to have its origins in the ancient Egyptian language. It is derived from the Egyptian word "mry.t," which means "beloved" or "cherished." This name was popular among the ancient Egyptians and can be traced back to the early dynastic period, around 3100 BCE.

In ancient Egyptian texts, the name Merit is often associated with goddesses and princesses. One of the earliest known references is found in the Pyramid Texts, a collection of ancient Egyptian funerary inscriptions dating back to around 2400 BCE. Here, the name is mentioned in connection with the goddess Isis, who was considered the embodiment of devotion and motherly love.

During the New Kingdom period (1550-1070 BCE), the name Merit gained further prominence. Several notable women from this era bore the name, including Merit-Ptah, a high priestess of the god Ptah, and Merit-Amon, a chantress of the god Amon. These women held influential positions in the religious and social spheres of ancient Egyptian society.

In Greek and Roman times, the name Merit was often Hellenized or Latinized as "Merita" or "Meritia." One of the earliest recorded examples of this form is Meritia, a Roman woman mentioned in an inscription from the 1st century BCE.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who carried the name Merit or its variations:

1. Merit-Amon (c. 1400 BCE), a powerful Egyptian chantress and singer in the temple of Amon at Thebes.
2. Merit-Ptah (c. 1300 BCE), a high priestess of the god Ptah during the reign of Ramesses II.
3. Meritia (1st century BCE), a Roman woman mentioned in an inscription from the city of Pompeii.
4. Merit-Seger (c. 1200 BCE), an Egyptian princess and daughter of Ramesses II.
5. Merit-Amun (c. 1000 BCE), an Egyptian noble woman and wife of the High Priest of Amon, Amenhotep.

While the name Merit is rooted in ancient Egyptian culture, it has been adopted and adapted by various other civilizations over time, reflecting the enduring appeal and significance of this name throughout history.

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

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

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