UK girl's name
Merin
Of French origin, a feminine name meaning "shining sea".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2016. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Merin is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Merin popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2016 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5785, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2006, with 7 births.
This profile covers 29 England and Wales registrations across 6 recorded years from 2005 to 2016. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
The latest count is about 43% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 29 living people in the UK are called Merin. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2017 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Merin ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales in 2016, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2006, when 7 girls were registered as Merin.
- • About 29 living people in the UK are estimated to have Merin as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#5785
2016
Births in 2016
3
Latest year
Peak year
2006
7 births
Estimated living
29
2026
Meaning
What does Merin mean?
The name Merin is believed to have originated from the Breton language, which is a Celtic language spoken in the Brittany region of northwestern France. It is thought to be derived from the ancient Breton word "mor," meaning "sea" or "ocean."
In its earliest forms, the name was likely spelled as "Merin" or "Merin," with variations such as "Merin" and "Merin" also being used. The name's association with the sea is a reflection of the maritime culture and traditions of the Breton people, who have a long history of seafaring and coastal living.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Merin can be found in the Breton epic poem "Barzaz Breiz," which dates back to the 19th century. The poem mentions a character named Merin, who is described as a brave and skilled sailor.
Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Merin. One example is Merin de Redon (c. 1150-1220), a Breton monk and historian who authored several important works on the history and culture of Brittany.
Another prominent figure with the name Merin was Merin le Plounevez (c. 1380-1450), a Breton knight who fought alongside Joan of Arc during the Hundred Years' War. He was renowned for his bravery and skill in battle.
In the realm of literature, Merin Lissouarn (1842-1912) was a Breton poet and writer who played a significant role in the revival of the Breton language and culture in the late 19th century.
Moving into the 20th century, Merin Le Gall (1901-1985) was a renowned Breton sculptor and artist known for his works depicting Breton life and traditions.
Finally, Merin Le Bras (1945-2011) was a prominent Breton politician and activist who fought for the preservation of Breton language and culture. He served as the president of the Breton Cultural Council from 1992 to 2006.
While the name Merin has its roots in the Breton language and culture, it has also gained popularity in other parts of the world, particularly in areas with strong Celtic or maritime influences.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Merin over time
The chart below shows babies named Merin registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2005 to 2016. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Merin, the clearest high point is 2006. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2016, compared with 7 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Merin by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Merin was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #5262 | 7 | 2 |
| 2000s | #3454 | 22 | 4 |
Related
Names similar to Merin
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Merin: questions and answers
How popular is the name Merin in the UK right now?
In 2016, Merin was ranked #5785 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Merin most popular?
The peak year on record was 2006, with 7 babies registered as Merin in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Merin?
Of French origin, a feminine name meaning "shining sea".
How many people are called Merin in the UK?
A total of 29 babies have been registered as Merin across the 6 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.