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Baby names

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

Original poster

Meryl

36 replies

Lille23 · 16/08/2020 18:10

Thoughts on Meryl for a girl?

Obviously there’s Meryl Streep (not a bad association), and I’ve known one other Meryl who would be in her 20s or 30s now, so I always assumed it was a medium popular name. But searching for figures online it seems almost completely unused. Weird as I think it’s quite pretty. I wonder why it’s not come back with the recent old lady name resurgence?

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MikeUniformMike · 19/08/2020 21:08

Cheryl is nice. Not sure about Beryl, but I saw Hilda and Beryl in the Birth announcement section of a broadsheet a few weeks ago.

Cakemadeoffruit · 19/08/2020 20:06

I like Meryl, but I love Merrin, but DP said no. Sad

Unseeliequeen · 19/08/2020 19:58

Usual*

Unseeliequeen · 19/08/2020 19:26

Meryl and Merryn are nice names.
Sheryl and Beryl seem a bit more common as in unusual not uncouth.. although..

mathanxiety · 19/08/2020 04:46

It's not the rhyming sounds that make me lump Meryl in with Sheryl and Beryl, Creamteafatty.

It's the fact that they are all out of date. The rhyme is incidental.

jeanne16 · 18/08/2020 21:00

I quite like Merryn.

Creamteafatty · 18/08/2020 20:58

Meryl has never made me think of Sheryl or Beryl in the same way that I don't think of Tim when I hear Kim or Cherie when I hear Marie or Chloe when I hear Zoe or Miranda when I hear Amanda or Norah when I hear Aurora or Sadie when I hear Katie etc etc etc.

I am pro both Merle and Meryl.
Not only does the name have an interesting, beautiful meaning it will likely never be in top 100 (while she's alive at least) and isn't frilly or predictable.

dollybird · 17/08/2020 09:40

I knew a girl at school called Meriel, which I prefer to Meryl. I am mid 40s

MikeUniformMike · 17/08/2020 09:27

@mathanxiety, never heard of her.

bluesoup1 · 17/08/2020 04:46

I'd never really considered it before but now I am, I like it! And as a huge Meryl Streep fan id definitely say the connection is a huge bonus.

EuphieKat · 17/08/2020 01:54

I like it! I know about 6 Meryls (South Wales area). Most are older ladies, but not all.

FingersXssd83 · 16/08/2020 21:57

Gosh I haven't ever thought of that name but I really like it!

Chicchicchicchiclana · 16/08/2020 21:17

Big yes from me!

SpeedofaSloth · 16/08/2020 21:10

Not keen TBH.

guineapig1 · 16/08/2020 20:47

I like it! I’m in west Wales and know at least 8 Meryls - all between 30 and 45ish plus a few older ones. I’m struggling to think of any under about 30 though

mathanxiety · 16/08/2020 20:46

@MikeUniformMike - Merle Haggard is probably the most famous bearer of the name.

IKEA888 · 16/08/2020 20:42

love it

MikeUniformMike · 16/08/2020 20:41

@mathanxiety,en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merle_Oberon

Immigrantsong · 16/08/2020 20:39

I like it.

Also similar:
Marlene or Marlena
Marylin
Meredith
Melody
Maria
Marianthe
Marianna or Marianne
Melina
Myrto

CoddledAsAMommet · 16/08/2020 20:38

I love it, Meryl was on my shortlist and got to the top 3, though we didn't use it in the end. Dd was due on Christmas Day and we thought 'Merry' would make a cute nickname. It's unusual, though everyone will have heard of it so no pronunciation issues. And easy to spell!

BrokenBrit · 16/08/2020 20:36

It’s ok but I prefer Merryn too.

ClaraLane · 16/08/2020 20:36

I love Meryl! I used to watch The Royal when it was on TV back in the day and there was a Meryl in that. I’ve only ever met one in real life so I say go for it.

Knittedfairies · 16/08/2020 20:35

I like it!

RiteAid · 16/08/2020 20:21

I think it’s really pretty.

mathanxiety · 16/08/2020 20:02

Merle is a male name.

I agree Meryl is in the Beryl and Sheryl camp.

Merryn is much nicer.