Girl Name · Welsh Origin
Meryl
Meryl is a girl baby name of Welsh origin, meaning "Shining sea". It currently sits in the Rare tier of US baby names for 2026, and parents who love Meryl often also consider Merle.
Meryl meaning, origin, and usage
Meaning: Shining sea
Origin: Welsh naming roots help connect Meryl to related Welsh baby names.
Pronunciation: Baby Name Studio pronounces Meryl as M·E·R·Y·L, with 5 letters and a girl usage profile.
Popularity: According to Baby Name Studio's 2026 tracker, Meryl is an uncommon, standout choice in the Rare tier.
Meryl variants, nicknames, middle names, and sibling names
- Variants and spelling ideas: Meryla, Meryle, Meryly, Mery.
- Nicknames: Mer and M.
- Middle names: Pair Meryl with a middle name that balances its substantial sound; start with the Meryl middle name generator.
- Sibling names: Merle, Mearl, Merril, Merl, Merrill — full picks on the sibling names for Meryl guide for a cohesive sibset.
- Similar names: Looking for names that sound like Meryl? Browse our names like Meryl guide for phonetic-neighbor picks.
- Explore more: use the Baby Name Explorer, name search, AI name generator, and Baby Name Studio homepage.
Frequently asked about Meryl
What does the name Meryl mean?
Meryl means "Shining sea" and is of Welsh origin.
What is the origin of Meryl?
Meryl originates in Welsh naming tradition.
How do you pronounce Meryl?
Meryl has 5 letters and is most commonly stressed on the first syllable.
Is Meryl a boy's or girl's name?
Meryl is primarily used as a girl's name in US records.
How popular is Meryl in 2026?
In our 2026 popularity tracker, Meryl sits in the Rare tier — an uncommon, standout choice.
What names are similar to Meryl?
Names that share Meryl's sound and style include Merle, Mearl, Merril, Merl, Merrill.
What middle names pair well with Meryl?
Good middle-name fits for Meryl pair an opposite syllable rhythm: if Meryl is short, lean longer (e.g. classical or three-syllable middles); if Meryl is longer, a one-syllable middle keeps the full name from feeling heavy.
What are good sibling names for Meryl?
Sibling names that pair naturally with Meryl share its rhythm without rhyming — Merle, Mearl, Merril all sit comfortably alongside it on a shortlist.