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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Is this name too "out there"?

58 replies

GreatScot8 · 30/01/2017 06:21

The name Merritt, for a girl?

It has sentimental meaning to me as it will (indirectly) be after my late father. His name was not Merritt, but the name relates to his favourite place (and where his ashes were scattered).

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smilingsarahb · 30/01/2017 13:27

I like it although I prefer merryn which wouldn't have the sentimental value. I think noone would think twice after initial introductions

Sophronia · 30/01/2017 13:21

I'm not keen, I think I'd go with something similar like Meredith, Merryn or Merrily.

Nemesia · 30/01/2017 12:05

In my Scottish accent it sounds really like the name Meraud (pronounced Merrid). Which I think is lovely.

LostMyDotBrain · 30/01/2017 12:03

I'm surprised at how many people like this one.

I'm not a fan I'm afraid, but I love that it'd be shortened to Merry.

It just doesn't sound like a real name to me. And it sounds quite masculine too. And she'll forever be having to correct the spelling. My name is spelled in a way that forever needs correcting. It's extremely annoying. I now tell people (jokingly of course) that I think my parents were drunk when they registered me.

SirSidneyRuffDiamond · 30/01/2017 11:59

I know a Merritt and think it's pretty. She is from Estonia so I assumed it was a name from her home country, but don't know that for sure.

MrsMeeseeks · 30/01/2017 11:55

I like it. I read a book recently which had a female character called Meyrick and thought it was lovely. Merritt is unusual without being wacky.

goldenrachita · 30/01/2017 11:15

I am not personally a fan of masculine sounding surname names for girls but other than that, there's nothing wrong with Merritt if that's your taste. It's not too 'out there' at all. There's something about it that I can't help liking. If it has meaning for you, that is the perfect reason. Babies grow into their names.

ThomasHardyPerennial · 30/01/2017 07:53

Really like it!

Pipilangstrumpf · 30/01/2017 07:48

I like it. Easy to pronounce and spell and nice sounding. And not already used by hundreds others. And it has special meaning to you. A perfect name!

Original poster
GreatScot8 · 30/01/2017 07:45

Thanks for all the comments so far. Pleasantly surprised that many seem to like it or at least think it's fine. Smile

Wouldn't use it for a boy. If we have a boy, we'll use my dad's nickname (different to his real name, but a name he went by his entire life).

OP posts:
Marcipex · 30/01/2017 07:33

Would you use it for a boy op?

Ohbuggermebugger · 30/01/2017 07:22

Love it! Never met anyone with this name before.

SmokyRobinson · 30/01/2017 07:22

It's very easy to get used to the name Merritt, even though I haven't heard it before. Sounds lovely.

Marcipex · 30/01/2017 07:21

I rather like it. It's not so onerous to say ' two rs two tees'. Every Catherine/Katherine/Kathryn Ann/Anne Emilia/Amelia has to specify their spelling every time and they manage okay.

squiggleirl · 30/01/2017 07:16

I'm not normally a fan of out there names, but that's a name I really like. When a name has meaning, I think most things are good. We all have a 'foreign' surname. We always have to spell our names. It's not really a problem, and certainly not anything our kids have even commented on, let alone complained about.

Lovemylittlebear · 30/01/2017 07:15

It's lovely :)

AnnieAnoniMouse · 30/01/2017 07:13

I think she'll get very tired of the 'Merit Certificate' 'jokes'.

Maybe, as it's not your Dad's actual name, you can find an alternative name with as much meaning to you, that will be less hassle for her. I would.

atheistmantis · 30/01/2017 07:05

I'd like it if it wasn't so close to the word Merit - at high school pupils get given merits.

lazydog · 30/01/2017 06:53

Nooka beat me to it with the observation that it's the name of a place in Canada that's pretty grim, but if I didn't have that association I probably would think it was an ok name.

pinkieandperkie · 30/01/2017 06:53

I think it's a lovely name.

Motherfuckers · 30/01/2017 06:53

It's quite old fashioned, in a Malory Towers kind of way.

BasinHaircut · 30/01/2017 06:53

I like it. Sounds American. I can imagine a girl in a 90210 type show being called Merritt

Iris65 · 30/01/2017 06:50

I like Merrit.

Isitjustmeorisiteveryoneelse · 30/01/2017 06:49

Wow, it's lovely and different but not out there different. Go for it!

dalmatianmad · 30/01/2017 06:48

I think it's a really beautiful name! A lovely tribute to your dad too Smile