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Merritt

Boy's name · #1505 in the US (2025) · Vintage

32% boys · 68% girls — For most of its history Merritt was mostly a boys' name; since around 2014 most babies named Merritt have been girls. Merritt →

Popularity over time

Merritt belongs to an older America first — it reached #400 back in 1899 — yet it still appears in today's records at #1505. About 6,200 boys have carried it since 1880.

Across the states

See where Merritt is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 10 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Merritt ranks in other countries and regions.

#3,572 in Canada (2024).

Famous Merritts

• Merritt Butrick — American actor (1959–1989)
• Merritt Lyndon Fernald — American botanist (1873–1950)
• Merritt Ruhlen — American linguist (1944–2021)
• Merritt Giffin — American discus thrower (1887–1911)
• Merritt A. Edson — Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient (1897–1955)

As a surname

It is also an American family name — about 46,000 people carried it as a surname in the 2010 census.

• LaShawn Merritt — American track and field athlete
• Aries Merritt — American hurdler
• Abraham Grace Merritt — American author (1884–1943)

What Merritts become

Among 69 notable people named Merritt:

Military figures appear 3.07× more often than among typical names — e.g. Merritt B. Curtis, American military officer and lawyer.

Similar names: Conley · Merrick · Smith · Mercer · Whit · Ransom

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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