Meredith comes from the Welsh Maredudd, a name of uncertain meaning that is usually explained as "great lord" or "sea lord". It was a man's name in Wales for centuries, but in the United States it has been firmly feminine since the mid-20th century, and Dr. Meredith Grey of Grey's Anatomy has kept it in view since 2005. Meredith ranked number 293 in 2000, dipped to the 500s in the 2010s and has recovered a little to number 469 in 2025.