Meredith

Meredith is primarily a female name today, but it is also used as a male name. It represents an anglicized form of the Welsh names Maredudd or Meredydd, which in turn have their origins in the Welsh surname Margetud. However, the exact meaning of the name is unclear.

What does the name Meredith mean?

The name Meredith, which is predominantly used for women today, is an anglicized variant of the Welsh names Maredudd and Meredydd, which originate from the Welsh surname Margetud. The meaning of the name is not definitively established. Possible interpretations include 'the great ruler', 'the magnificent ruler', or 'the protector of the sea', as well as 'the defender of the sea' or 'the ruler of the sea'. The roots of the name can be traced back to Old Welsh and likely derive from the elements mawredd, meaning 'greatness', 'magnificence', 'splendor', and 'glory', and iudd, meaning 'lord' or 'master'. In the Middle Ages, the Welsh variants of the name were very popular. Other forms include Meredithe, Merideth, and Meridith. The name is also used as a surname.

Where does the name Meredith come from?

The origin of the name Meredith lies in Old Welsh. It is both a female and a male first name and means 'the great ruler'. The name is composed of the Old Saxon words mawredd, which means 'greatness', 'magnificence', 'splendor', or 'glory', and iudd, which means 'lord' or 'master'. The language is English.

How do you pronounce Meredith?

The pronunciation of Meredith is three syllables and clearly structured. In German, the name is typically pronounced as 'Me-re-dith' [ˈmɛʁədɪθ]. The pronunciation begins with an open, slightly elongated sound that immediately catches the ear. The consonant combinations give the sound a certain density, while the ending '-th' forms a distinctive, slightly sharp conclusion. Overall, the pronunciation of Meredith is nuanced, well-structured, and has an international character.

Popularity

In Germany, Meredith is a common first name. In 2023, it ranked 3,880th among the most common female first names. Its best placement was in 2006, reaching rank 906. In the last ten years, Meredith has been given as a first name about 40 times, placing it 4,479th in the ten-year statistics. Between 2010 and 2024, it ranks 4,452nd. The global popularity of the name is also reflected in the first name charts of various countries.

Nicknames & pet names

Deth / Dith / Marry / Meddith / Meddy / Mer / Merde / Mere / Merey / Meri / Merle / Merri / Merry / Mery / Mette / Myrdle

Famous people

• Charles William Meredith van de Velde (painter from the Netherlands)
• Diane Meredith Belcher (musician from America)
• Dr. Meredith Rodney McKay (character from Stargate Atlantis)
• Hilary Meredith Lawson (English philosopher)
• Meredith Ann Pierce (American author)
• Meredith Anne Gardner (Canadian freestyle skier)
• Meredith Baxter (* 1947), American actress)
• Meredith Bergman (Croatian artist)
• Meredith Bishop (American actor)
• Meredith Brooks (singer)
• Meredith Colket (American athlete)
• Meredith Dambrosio (American singer)
• Meredith Deane (American actress)
• Meredith Dillman (artist from the USA)
• Meredith Eaton (American actress)
• Meredith Edwards (actor from England)
• Meredith Etherington-Smith (writer from Mexico)
• Meredith Frampton (English artist)
• Meredith Gardner (American linguist)
• Meredith Garniss (American artist)