UK girl's name
Meryn
A feminine name of Welsh origin meaning "shining," "bright," or "beautiful.".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2021. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Meryn is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Meryn popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2021 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3961, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2000, with 5 births.
This profile covers 39 England and Wales registrations across 10 recorded years from 1997 to 2021. 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 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 39 living people in the UK are called Meryn. 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 2022 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Meryn ranked #3961 for girls in England and Wales in 2021, with 5 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2000, when 5 girls were registered as Meryn.
- • About 39 living people in the UK are estimated to have Meryn as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3961
2021
Births in 2021
5
Latest year
Peak year
2000
5 births
Estimated living
39
2026
Meaning
What does Meryn mean?
The given name Meryn has its roots in the Old English language, dating back to the 5th century AD. It is believed to have originated from the Old English word "mære," which means "famous" or "renowned." The name was particularly popular among the Anglo-Saxon communities of England during the Middle Ages.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Meryn can be found in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, a historical record of events in Anglo-Saxon England. The chronicle mentions a nobleman named Meryn who lived during the reign of King Æthelred the Unready in the late 10th century.
In medieval times, the name Meryn was often associated with individuals of noble birth or those who had achieved great feats. A notable example is Meryn de Warenne, a powerful Norman baron who fought alongside William the Conqueror during the Norman conquest of England in 1066. He was later granted extensive lands and became the Earl of Surrey.
During the Renaissance period, the name Meryn gained popularity in various parts of Europe, particularly in England and France. One prominent figure was Meryn Gwyn, a Welsh bard and poet who lived in the 16th century. He is renowned for his contributions to Welsh literature and his works that celebrated the natural beauty of Wales.
In the 18th century, Meryn Calvert was a British naval officer who played a significant role in the American Revolutionary War. He served as a captain in the Royal Navy and participated in several major battles against the American forces.
Another notable figure was Meryn Royce, an English explorer and adventurer who lived in the 19th century. He is known for his expeditions to the Arctic regions and his contributions to the field of geography and cartography.
While the name Meryn has remained relatively uncommon throughout history, it has been carried by individuals from various walks of life, including writers, artists, and scholars. The name's association with fame and renown has endured, reflecting the aspirations and achievements of those who bore it.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Meryn over time
The chart below shows babies named Meryn registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1997 to 2021. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Meryn, the clearest high point is 2000. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2021, compared with 5 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Meryn by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Meryn 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | #3961 | 5 | 1 |
| 2010s | #5219 | 14 | 4 |
| 2000s | #3847 | 12 | 3 |
| 1990s | #3200 | 8 | 2 |
Related
Names similar to Meryn
- 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
Meryn: questions and answers
How popular is the name Meryn in the UK right now?
In 2021, Meryn was ranked #3961 for girls in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.
When was Meryn most popular?
The peak year on record was 2000, with 5 babies registered as Meryn in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Meryn?
A feminine name of Welsh origin meaning "shining," "bright," or "beautiful.".
How many people are called Meryn in the UK?
A total of 39 babies have been registered as Meryn across the 10 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.