Merve is a feminine Turkish given name, the Turkish form of Marwa. Derived from Arabic marw meaning "pebbles" or "flint," the name also refers to a fragrant plant (Maerua crassifolia). Al-Marwa is the name of one of the two sacred hills near Mecca, between which Muslims travel back and forth seven times during the pilgrimage rituals (Sa'ee). This hill is mentioned in the Quran (Surah Al-Baqara, verse 158).PopularityAccording to the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Nationality of Turkey, Merve was the most popular female name in Turkey between 1991 and 2000.Notable BearersMerve Adıyaman (born 1994), Turkish handball playerMerve Aladağ (born 1993), Turkish women's football strikerMerve Aydın (born 1990), Turkish middle distance runnerMerve Aydın (basketball) (born 1994), Turkish basketball playerMerve Boluğur (born 1987), Turkish actressMerve Büyüksaraç (born 1988), Turkish model and Miss Turkey 2006Merve Çağıran (born 1992), Turkish actressMeaning: Pebble; named after the hill Al-Marwa in MeccaOrigin: Arabic, via TurkishType: Feminine given nameUsage: Primarily Turkish