Meredith Lara

Name meaning, origin and global statistics

Meredith Lara — Welsh
51K People worldwide
United States Most common in
1970s Peak popularity
Gender
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Meredith Lara is a name that combines Welsh origins. The first name Meredith is a feminine given name of Welsh origin. Meredith is a Welsh given name, and a surname common in parts of Wales. As a personal name, it was historically usually given to boys, but it has more recently been given mainly to girls, especially outside Wales. Meredith has many derivatives that have also become personal names and surnames. In Old Welsh (c. 800–1150), the name was usually rendered as Morgetuid or Margetiud. The exact meaning of the first element, Mere, is unclear, although some Welsh scholars have translated it as "great" or "splendid". The surname Lara: Lara is a feminine given name or a surname in several languages. It can be used as a short form of the name Larissa. It was popularized in the Anglosphere by a character in the 1965 film Dr. Zhivago. Lara is also a water nymph in Roman Mythology who is the mother of the Lares. The name is of uncertain etymology. The name has been among the top 1,000 names used for newborn girls in the United States since 1966, the year after the film Dr. Zhivago debuted. The name has also seen wide use in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and across Europe. Meredith is a distinctive first name, carried by approximately 51K people globally, with the highest concentration in United States. The name Meredith reached peak popularity in the 1970s, reflecting the naming trends of that era.

Etymology & Origin

First Name: Meredith

Welsh

Meredith is a Welsh given name, and a surname common in parts of Wales. As a personal name, it was historically usually given to boys, but it has more recently been given mainly to girls, especially outside Wales. Meredith has many derivatives that have also become personal names and surnames. In Old Welsh (c. 800–1150), the name was usually rendered as Morgetuid or Margetiud. The exact meaning of the first element, Mere, is unclear, although some Welsh scholars have translated it as "great" or "splendid".

Surname: Lara

Spanish

Lara is a feminine given name or a surname in several languages. It can be used as a short form of the name Larissa. It was popularized in the Anglosphere by a character in the 1965 film Dr. Zhivago. Lara is also a water nymph in Roman Mythology who is the mother of the Lares. The name is of uncertain etymology. The name has been among the top 1,000 names used for newborn girls in the United States since 1966, the year after the film Dr. Zhivago debuted. The name has also seen wide use in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and across Europe.

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Geographic Distribution

The first name Meredith is distributed across the globe, with the highest concentrations in the following countries:

United States 50%
United Kingdom 26%
Australia 13%
Canada 11%

Popularity Over Time

Popularity of the name Meredith by decade, based on birth registration data:

1900s
1910s
1920s
1930s
1940s
1950s
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
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Notable People Named Meredith Lara

People listed above share this name. Listed for informational purposes only. Source: Wikipedia.

Numerology

According to Pythagorean numerology, each letter in a name carries a numerical value. Here are the key numbers for Meredith Lara:

6
Expression Number

Nurturing and responsibility. Associated with care, family values and a strong sense of duty towards loved ones.

3
Soul Urge Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

3
Personality Number

Creativity and self-expression. Associated with artistic flair, optimism and sociability — a natural communicator.

Numerology is a cultural tradition for exploring symbolism in names. Results are for entertainment purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the origin of the first name Meredith?
The first name Meredith originates from Welsh. Meredith is a Welsh given name, and a surname common in parts of Wales. As a personal name, it was historically usually given to boys, but it has more recently been given mainly to girls, especially outside Wales. Meredith has many derivatives that have also become personal names and surnames. In Old Welsh (c. 800–1150), the name was usually rendered as Morgetuid or Margetiud. The exact meaning of the first element, Mere, is unclear, although some Welsh scholars have translated it as "great" or "splendid".
When was Meredith most popular?
The name Meredith reached its peak popularity during the 1970s.
What is the origin of the surname Lara?
The surname Lara originates from Spanish. Lara is a feminine given name or a surname in several languages. It can be used as a short form of the name Larissa. It was popularized in the Anglosphere by a character in the 1965 film Dr. Zhivago. Lara is also a water nymph in Roman Mythology who is the mother of the Lares. The name is of uncertain etymology. The name has been among the top 1,000 names used for newborn girls in the United States since 1966, the year after the film Dr. Zhivago debuted. The name has also seen wide use in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and across Europe.
What are the origins of the name Meredith Lara?
The name Meredith Lara combines two different traditions: the first name Meredith has Welsh roots, while the surname Lara originates from Spanish.
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