embrisa.
embrisa.
Theme
Feminine

Meredith

ˈmɛr.ə.dɪθ

Great ruler

Welsh

How to say it

MER · e · dith

ˈmɛr.ə.dɪθ

What it means

A Welsh name, usually read as 'great lord' or 'great ruler,' originally given to boys.

Meredith is a Welsh name from Maredudd, usually read as 'great lord' or 'great ruler.' It started out male in Wales and crossed into use as a girls' name in the 20th century, especially in America. Meredith Grey of Grey's Anatomy is a modern anchor. Smart and a touch literary. Merry is the short.

How to spell Meredith

The standard spelling is Meredith. Common variants include Meredyth, Maredudd, but Meredith is the most widely used form.

Popularity over time

#10 #100 #1000 #1 #212418802025

peaked at #140 in 1980, currently #469 in 2025.

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, names given to at least 5 babies in a year, 1880–2025. Reviewed August 2026. See where the names are moving

Heads-up notes

  • Nickname

    Merry.

  • Worth knowing

    Originally a Welsh boys' name, now used mainly for girls.

  • Pop culture

    Meredith Grey of Grey's Anatomy.

Who's worn it

  • Meredith Vieira American broadcast journalist and television host
  • Meredith Grey lead character of the TV series Grey's Anatomy

Spelling variants

  • Meredyth
  • Maredudd

Common questions

What does the name Meredith mean?
A Welsh name, usually read as 'great lord' or 'great ruler,' originally given to boys.
What does Meredith mean in Welsh?
In Welsh, Meredith means "Great ruler." Meredith is a Welsh name from Maredudd, usually read as 'great lord' or 'great ruler.' It started out male in Wales and crossed into use as a girls' name in the 20th century, especially in America. Meredith Grey of Grey's Anatomy is a modern anchor. Smart and a touch literary. Merry is the short.
How do you pronounce Meredith?
Meredith is pronounced ˈmɛr.ə.dɪθ. Say it as MER-e-dith, with the stress on the "mer" syllable.
How do you spell Meredith?
The standard spelling is Meredith. Common spelling variants include Meredyth, Maredudd.
Is Meredith a boy or girl name?
Meredith is traditionally a feminine name.
How popular is the name Meredith?
Meredith ranked #469 in the U.S. in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.