Meaning and history
Merry is an English given name taken from the adjective meaning “cheerful,” “joyful,” or “festive.” It can also function as a familiar form of Mercy, Meredith, or names beginning with Mer-, so its intended origin may vary by bearer. The word itself comes through Old English and has long been associated with celebration, especially in the phrase “Merry Christmas.” A notable bearer is American soul and gospel singer Merry Clayton, known for her powerful vocal performance on “Gimme Shelter.”
20062006: 20 births, rank #6,356
2007: 14 births, rank #8,520
2008: 23 births, rank #5,955
2009: 18 births, rank #7,066
2010: 22 births, rank #5,977
20112011: 15 births, rank #7,783
2012: 18 births, rank #6,872
2013: 23 births, rank #5,644
2014: 22 births, rank #5,797
2015: 24 births, rank #5,458
20162016: 32 births, rank #4,423
2017: 14 births, rank #7,840
2018: 19 births, rank #6,248
2019: 17 births, rank #6,698
2020: 17 births, rank #6,629
20212021: 17 births, rank #6,691
2022: 16 births, rank #6,984
2023: 10 births, rank #9,616
2024: 16 births, rank #6,932
20252025: 9 births, rank #10,107
Merry moved from #845 to #949 for girls between 1967 and 1969. Its highest annual birth count came in 1954, with 355 births.