Merike is an Estonian feminine given name.[1] The name is derived from the Estonian language word meri, meaning "sea", and was first proposed as a given name by the Estonian linguist Julius Mägiste for inclusion on the recommended list of names of the Estonian Mother Tongue Society (Emakeele Selts) in 1929.[2]
Gender | Female |
---|---|
Language(s) | Estonian |
Name day | 22 April[1] |
Origin | |
Region of origin | Estonia |
Other names | |
Derived | From meri, meaning "sea" |
Related names | Meeri, Meri, Merje |
As of 1 January 2021, 3,192 women in Estonia have the first name Merike, making it the 37th most popular female name in the country.[3] The name is most commonly found in Võru County, where 35.92 per 10,000 inhabitants of the county bear the name.[3] Individuals bearing the name Merike include:
- Merike Aarma (born 1950), choir director and music teacher
- Merike Martinson (born 1940), physician and politician
- Merike Pau (1941–2008), translator
- Merike Rõtova (born 1936), chess player
- Merike Talve (1957–1997), curator, artist and writer
References
edit- ^ a b "Estonian Name Days". Behind the Name. 2017. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
- ^ Vilkuna, Kustaa (1 January 1997). Etunimet (in Finnish). Helsinki: Otava. p. 158. ISBN 978-951-1-18892-6.
- ^ a b "Nimede statistika". Eesti statiska (in Estonian). 1 January 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2021.