Merrily Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Merrily has its origins in Middle English, deriving from the word meaning 'joyful' or 'cheerful'. Its language evolution traces back to Old English, showcasing a consistent theme of happiness. While it has no biblical relevance, the name gained popularity in the 19th century, reflecting a light-hearted spirit in contemporary usage. Notable individuals named Merrily include authors and artists, contributing to its modern image.
The name Merrily is most popular in Washington, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Merrily has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in MidWest, stalled for female in Northeast, stalled for female in South, stalled for female in West. Across generations, 'Merrily' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1537th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 2416th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 6624th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 18582nd out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 35406th out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 28476th out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Merrily' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Merrily"
Pronunciation
/ˈmɛrɪli/
Origin
Middle English
Etymology
The name Merrily is derived from the Middle English word 'merie', which means 'joyful' or 'cheerful'. It is related to the Old English word 'myrige', which has a similar meaning.
Meaning
joyful, cheerful
Language Evolution
Old English: myrige, Middle English: merie, Modern English: merrily
Historical Usage
Merrily gained popularity in the 19th century as a given name, influenced by the use of the term in folk songs and literature to convey joy and happiness.
Variants & Derivatives
Merry, Meredith, Merrie
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Merrily is perceived as light-hearted and whimsical, often associated with a joyful and carefree personality.
Famous People
Merrily Weisbord, Canadian author, Merrily McGugan, artist
📊 Merrily Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Merrily Name Visualizations
✨ Merrily Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 210 peak births in 1942
Geographic Spread
Popular across 14 US states, with strongest presence in Washington
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 6 different American generations with varying popularity
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Merrily"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Merrily"
"Merrily" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1537th of 9204 | 479 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 2416th of 12526 | 412 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 6624th of 19264 | 108 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 18582nd of 27321 | 22 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 35406th of 35406 | 5 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 28476th of 30306 | 6 |
Regional Popularity of "Merrily" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Merrily" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
52.85% 817th/1546 |
54.95% 855th/1556 |
95.75% 2253rd/2353 |
51.00% 789th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
74.99% 1670th/2227 |
85.51% 2078th/2430 |
- |
54.81% 1521st/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Merrily"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Merrily" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.