Merryn - we're not Cornish?

[riverofjordan]

Anyone in Cornwall, is Merryn super popular there? We're Welsh and there is technically Welsh history to the name too but mostly it's Cornish, especially I know it's a place name there...

I'm wondering if it's a bit like Ffion for example, that's super popular in Wales but unusual elsewhere?

Would it be strange for us to use it when we have no real connection to Cornwall? We have friends there though and idk if they would think it's odd 😅 I'm probably overthinking lol

Merryn is a good name, quite rare.
Not that this matters but I googled and in the US, and the name has been used exclusively for naming girls, and is rare there, as it is in the UK.
There's nothing wrong with that, having a unique name, there aren't too many people who do.
If I knew anyone with the name I would assume it was a family surname, or a place name which it is.
What would you use as an nn, Ryn?
It sounds all right to me and I don't think that you have to have a background in Cornwall to use the name; if you like it use it!
Don't overthink too much about what other people think about your choice of name for your child.

You’re overthinking it. People who get huffy about this kind of thing are people you don’t need in your life!

I’m in Cornwall and know two. One adult and one teen.
Go for it, it’s a gorgeous underused name!

I adore this name so think you should definitely use it!

What about Merry as a nn?

It’s not like Piran which is very very popular!

I love Merryn and I don’t think you need to have any links to Cornwall to use it 😊

I've always liked traditional and classic names but this is the most unusual name that I really like. I know about the Cornish roots (and have been to St Merryn) but wouldn't expect you to have a connection. You can use a name just because you like it.

I like the nickname Merry.

Thanks everyone :) we do also really like the idea of merry as a nn yes!

I’d assume it was a hobbit name from lord of the rings to be honest. But I have no links to Cornwall.

We have a Merryn. I love it. She’s in Year6 and we only know of one other who is the daughter of a family friend ( where we got the inspiration from). We’re not Cornish. Family friend has Cornish roots. She gets called mez (not by me!)

I like it and I don't think you need to be Cornish to use it. Don't forget Jennifer was originally Cornish!

I like it .

Very nice. Heard it before but didn’t know it was Cornish. I don’t think you need a Cornish connection to use it.

Nah, I don’t think you need a Cornish connection to use Merryn. I’ve met a Elowen and a Jago with no links to Cornwall and I’ve got Morwenna on my own list (I live in Wales too), even though my Cornish links are a generation or two back.

My daughter is a Merryn, we are not from Cornwall, have no links. I just loved the name. She is 14 and has always been the only Merryn and we do call her Merry or merryn mouse. Her school friends in primary called her Renn sometimes.

Its a beautiful name and we get lots of positive comments. It does get mispronounced she has been called Miriam, Maryann? And a few other odd miss pronunciations like can you not read..

Anyway it's beautiful and very under used.

Friend's daughter is Merolyn. I have never heard another. If you like it, go for it!

A friend of mine (not Cornish) has a Merryn. I think it's beautiful. No need for a nickname.

I can't see why you couldn't use it.
Wasn't St Merryn a man?

Cornish and Welsh are strongly linked in language and culture OP so I say yes.

Also love the name 😀

That’s because a lot of the mythology and language was based on Welsh/Cornish 😎

The languages and cultures are not that strongly linked.
I don't like the name, but plenty do.

What?

They are that strongly linked that in order to help reconstruct the lost/forgotten parts of the Cornish language they used Welsh….

Is it relevant anyway? OP loves the name, that's what matters.
Babies called Merryn in England & Wales since 1996

It is in use, mostly for girls, and it's liked on here. Go for it.

The Merryn I know was named that as a compromise because her Irish parent wanted Muireann, and her English parent thought it would be a pain in England. No Cornish connection.

Thank you all, very helpful! Think we will go for it! :)