Merve first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Merve has been for the last 24 years (from 1992 to 2015) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Merve

A feminine name of Turkish origin meaning "fresh and tender".

Popularity of Merve by gender

Based on the last 24 years of data, Merve is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2015, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Merve.

Year Male Count Female Count
2015 0 5
2013 0 6
2012 0 7
2007 0 7
2005 0 5
2003 0 5
2001 0 10
2000 0 7
1999 0 7
1998 0 13
1996 0 9
1995 0 8
1993 0 5
1992 0 7

The history of the first name Merve

The name Merve has its origins in the Turkish language and culture. It is derived from the Persian word "marveh," which means "pearl" or "gem." The name has been in use for centuries in Turkey and other regions influenced by Persian and Turkish cultures.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Merve can be found in the 11th century Diwan Lughat al-Turk, a comprehensive dictionary of Turkic languages compiled by Mahmud al-Kashgari. In this work, the name is listed as a name given to girls, reflecting its long-standing usage in the region.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals bearing the name Merve. One such individual was Merve Kavakçı, a Turkish politician and activist who was the first woman to wear a headscarf in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. She was born in 1968 and served as a member of parliament from 1999 to 2002.

Another prominent figure with the name Merve was Merve Aydın, a Turkish novelist and screenwriter born in 1970. She is best known for her novel "Mutluluk" (Happiness), which won the prestigious Yunus Nadi Novel Award in 2005.

In the world of sports, Merve Dağdelen is a notable name. Born in 1994, she is a Turkish volleyball player who has represented Turkey in several international competitions, including the European Championship and the Olympic Games.

Moving to the realm of music, Merve Özbey is a Turkish singer and songwriter born in 1993. She gained popularity in Turkey after participating in the talent show "O Ses Türkiye" (The Voice of Turkey) in 2013.

Lastly, Merve Koç is a Turkish actress born in 1990. She has appeared in several popular Turkish television series and films, including "Güneşi Beklerken" (Waiting for the Sun) and "Çalı Kuşu" (The Nightingale).

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Merve, reflecting its enduring popularity and cultural significance within the Turkish and Persian spheres of influence.

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

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

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"Merve first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on August 26, 2025. http://namecensus.com/first-names/merve-meaning-and-history/.

"Merve first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/merve-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 26 August, 2025

Merve first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/merve-meaning-and-history/.

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