MERRIAM Meaning and
Definition
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Merriam is a proper noun primarily referring to the last name of individuals. It is often used as a surname and traces its origins to Old English and Old Welsh. The name Merriam is derived from the words "myrige" and "rheol" in Old English, meaning "pleasant" or "merry," and "ruler" respectively. In Old Welsh, "mer" refers to the sea, implying connections to maritime pursuits or characteristics.
Merriam is also notably associated with the name of one of the most esteemed and reputable American publishing companies, Merriam-Webster. Founded by brothers Noah and George Merriam in the mid-19th century, the Merriam-Webster publishing house is renowned for its publication of dictionaries, thesauri, and other reference works. Their dictionary, commonly referred to as Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, is highly regarded worldwide for its comprehensive and authoritative definitions, spellings, pronunciations, and etymologies of English words.
Furthermore, Merriam can also refer to various geographic locations. For instance, Merriam is the name of a city in Johnson County, Kansas, United States. It was named after Charles Merriam, an influential settler and businessman in the area during the late 19th century.
In summary, "Merriam" primarily serves as a surname, is associated with the prestigious Merriam-Webster publishing company, and can also denote a geographical location.
Top Common Misspellings for MERRIAM *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for MERRIAM
Etymology of MERRIAM
The word "Merriam" is a surname, and its etymology can be traced back to the Old English language. It is believed to be derived from the compound of the words "merry" and "ham".
"Merry" originally meant pleasant, agreeable, or joyous in Old English. It comes from the Old English word "myrige", which is related to the Old High German word "muri", meaning splendid or famous. Over time, "merry" also took on the connotations of happiness, mirth, and enjoyment.
The second part of the name, "ham", is derived from the Old English word "hamm", which meant an enclosed or fenced-in pasture or homestead. It is often used in place names to indicate a settlement or dwelling place.
Similar spelling words for MERRIAM
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