UK girl's name
Meritxell
A feminine name of Catalan origin meaning "miracle, Mary's miracle".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2004. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Meritxell is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Meritxell popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2004 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4598, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2004, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2004 to 2004. 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.
Meritxell is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Meritxell. 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 2005 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Meritxell ranked #4598 for girls in England and Wales in 2004, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2004, when 3 girls were registered as Meritxell.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Meritxell as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4598
2004
Births in 2004
3
Latest year
Peak year
2004
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Meritxell mean?
The given name Meritxell has its origins in the Catalan culture and language, which is primarily spoken in the regions of Catalonia, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands in Spain, as well as parts of southern France. The name is believed to have derived from the Latin words "meritum" and "cella," which together translate to "hermitage" or "small hermitage."
The name is closely associated with the legend of a young shepherdess named Meritxell, who is said to have lived in the 13th century. According to the story, Meritxell encountered an apparition of the Virgin Mary while tending her flock in the Pyrenees mountains. This encounter is believed to have taken place near the small town of Meritxell, located in the parish of Canillo in Andorra.
The earliest recorded use of the name Meritxell can be traced back to the 14th century, when it was mentioned in various religious texts and chronicles related to the legend. Over time, the name gained popularity in the Catalan-speaking regions, particularly in Andorra, where the town and the legend hold significant cultural and religious importance.
Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Meritxell. One of the earliest recorded figures was Meritxell d'Urgell (c. 1330-1390), a Catalan noblewoman and patron of the arts. Another noteworthy individual was Meritxell de Riquer (1480-1545), a renowned Catalan poet and writer during the Renaissance period.
In more recent times, Meritxell Roselló (1927-2005) was a celebrated Catalan artist known for her abstract expressionist paintings. Meritxell Martí (born 1972) is a Spanish politician and member of the European Parliament, representing the Catalan European Democratic Party.
Additionally, Meritxell Batet (born 1973) is a Spanish lawyer and politician who served as the President of the Congress of Deputies, the lower house of the Spanish parliament, from 2019 to 2022.
The name Meritxell continues to be popular in the Catalan-speaking regions, particularly in Andorra, where it holds significant cultural and religious significance. It serves as a reminder of the rich history and traditions of the Catalan people and their enduring connection to the legend of the young shepherdess and the Virgin Mary.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Meritxell by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Meritxell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4598 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Meritxell
- 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
Meritxell: questions and answers
How popular is the name Meritxell in the UK right now?
In 2004, Meritxell was ranked #4598 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Meritxell most popular?
The peak year on record was 2004, with 3 babies registered as Meritxell in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Meritxell?
A feminine name of Catalan origin meaning "miracle, Mary's miracle".
How many people are called Meritxell in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Meritxell across the 1 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.