What does Meiling mean and where does it come from?
Meiling (美玲) is a traditional Chinese name that signifies beauty and preciousness associated with jade, a stone highly valued in Chinese culture. The name consists of 'mei' / 美 / meaning 'beautiful' and 'ling' / 玲 / which can mean 'jade' or 'tinkling sound.' It's a popular name in China and among Ch
Cultural significance
Meiling has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in China-speaking communities, where it reflects values of beautiful jade.
Peak popularity
Reached #6002 in 1983 — currently #14562 in the US.
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Related Reading
China-origin baby names with timeless appeal
Browse names →How else can you spell Meiling?
Same sound, different look — useful if you want something slightly more distinctive
What middle names flow best with Meiling?
Meiling works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful
Meiling Grace
Most popular combo · classic
Meiling Rose
Floral · soft ending
Meiling Mae
Sweet · timeless
Meiling Claire
French influence · crisp
Meiling Jane
Literary · strong
Meiling Skye
Modern · airy feel
How popular is Meiling right now?
Rising fast — up 2339 spots — currently #14562 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names
| Year | US Rank | Births | vs Prior Year |
|---|
| 2023 | #14562 | 6 | ▲ up 2339 · +20% births |
| 2022 | #16901 | 5 | ▼ down 3294 · -17% births |
| 2020 | #13607 | 6 | ▼ down 5061 · -54% births |
| 2015 | #8546 | 13 | ▲ up 3935 · +63% births |
| 2010 | #12481 | 8 | ▼ down 5578 · -53% births |
| 2005 | #6903 | 17 | ▲ up 6629 · +183% births |
| 2000 | #13532 | 6 | ▼ down 6029 · -45% births |
| 1990 | #7503 | 11 | ▲ up 3708 · +120% births |
| 1985 | #11211 | 5 | ▼ down 2666 · -29% births |
| 1980 | #8545 | 7 | ▼ down 99 · +17% births |
| 1975 | #8446 | 6 | ▼ down 2093 |
| 1960 | #6353 | 6 | — |
The story of Meiling
Meiling entered American naming records in 1960 and has been in use for over 64 years. With 347 total births recorded, Meiling remains relatively uncommon. Once ranked #6353 in 1960, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #14562 in 2023.
Names that peaked alongside Meiling in 1983:
Meiling by decade
Meiling peaked in the 1980s. See all 1980s names →
| Decade | Births | |
|---|
| 1960s | 11 | |
| 1970s | 34 | |
| 1980s | 65 | |
| 1990s | 36 | |
| 2000s ★ | 113 | |
| 2010s | 82 | |
| 2020s | 6 | |
💎Meiling has only 347 total recorded births since 1960 — rarer than 99% of names in our database.
What are good nicknames for Meiling?
Common
MeiMeilMeilieMeilyIling
What names sound and feel like Meiling?
Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Meiling also consider these
Common questions about the name Meiling
What does the name Meiling mean?
Meiling means "beautiful jade" — a name rooted in China tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.
How popular is the name Meiling?
Meiling is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Meiling have increased significantly in recent years.
What is the cultural origin of Meiling?
Meiling originates from China tradition. China names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.
How do you pronounce the name Meiling?
Meiling is a two-syllable name pronounced M EY1 L IH1 NG. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.
Is Meiling trending right now?
Meiling is currently on the rise — it has gained significant momentum in recent years as parents discover its appeal.