Meryl - Name Meaning and Origin

The boy's and girl's name Meryl \m(e)-ryl, mer-yl\ is pronounced MARE-el. It is of English origin, and its meaning is "shining sea". Variant of Muriel via Meriel. Also possibly an invented name at the beginning of the 20th century, modeled on Cheryl. Well-known today due to actress Meryl Streep.

Meryl has 14 variant forms: Maryl, Meral, Merel, Merla, Merlyn, Merrall, Merrell, Merril, Merrill, Merryl, Meryle, Meryll, Mirla and Myrla.

For more information, see also the related name Merle.

Baby names that sound like Meryl are Merl, Marylu, Meriol, Merial, Merola and Merill.

Meryl is a popular female first name and a very rare surname (source: 1990 U.S. Census). Displayed below is the baby name popularity trend for the girl's name Meryl. Click here to compare Meryl with related baby names.