Like it on a boy!
[name]Merritt[/name] is all [name]Merritt[/name] Parkway for me (And makes me think “@#&$%$& traffic”) so I do prefer Merit of the two.
That said, [name]Merritt[/name] Wever wears it well and in most any other part of the country, it would be a non-issue. I think [name]Sawyer[/name] is my favorite of your short list…[name]Rowan[/name] & [name]Sawyer[/name] are sweet together too.
I went to Catholic school too
The only merit I can think of was to do with out merit system where we got ‘points’ for being good and then certificates and prizes at the end of the year. Is that the reference?
No, I was talking about the fact that my school was one of the few to still require us to take Latin. And it being a Catholic school, we heard a lot about virtues…
I know a Merit and 2 [name]Barrett[/name]'s names. I see you added [name]Asher[/name]- missed that!
[name]Ah[/name] gotcha Only the private schools teach latin here.
[name]Merritt[/name] is very cute, and flows well with [name]Rowan[/name]. I see you have [name]Asher[/name] on your list. I thought I would suggest [name]Archer[/name]. It has a similar feel but more uncommon, especially as a choice for a girl. [name]Scarlett[/name] also came to mind, as it is a stylish and strong name, just like [name]Rowan[/name]. Good luck and happy name gathering!
Merit just seems hard to me, sorry 
I still love [name]Sawyer[/name] and [name]Rowan[/name]!
I love Meritt with two t’s.
It would make a great sis-set with [name]Rowan[/name].
I think of demerit…which isn’t a very good association. But I like the way it sounds.
Oh, and Merit can also be spelled [name]Merritt[/name], as in the lake in Oakland, [name]CA[/name] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Merritt). There’s a bunch of other stuff in the area with this name on it too. I realized that this might also be why I like the names - I spent two amazing years living two blocks away from the lake and have amazing memories
I really like Merit, and I prefer that spelling. It reminds me of the virtue names, yet updated somehow. 
Ooh I really like it… I kind of like the [name]Maret[/name] spelling… I love [name]Sawyer[/name] and [name]Asher[/name] too… [name]Even[/name] for girls… [name]Rowan[/name] is my most favorite name… I love love love it…
I knew a Merit from elementary school and I like the name a lot. I always thought that it was of Scandinavian origin (like [name]Princess[/name] [name]Mette[/name]-[name]Marit[/name]). [name]Rowan[/name] and Merit are a lovely sibset.
I know a Merit! She is funny, outdoorsy, pretty, and just a lovely person so I can’t help but find the name charming. [name]Rowan[/name] and Merit are fantastic together.
Thanks for all the positive feedback everyone! It’s making me like the name even more. I think it fits the criteria I’m looking for… ancient roots and a modern, androgynous sound.
[name]Maret[/name] was pronounced “[name]MARE[/name]-et”; it was pretty intuitive to me when I met her, and I think anyone who isn’t certain of the pronunciation would catch on as soon as she shakes her hand and says, “[name]Hi[/name], I’m [name]Maret[/name].” Again, I like it because it isn’t a virtue word name (Merit) and doesn’t look so masculine ([name]Merritt[/name]). I think it goes perfectly with [name]Rowan[/name] and your criteria.
Guess I’ll be the wet blanket then - I really dislike Merit. It reminds me of the noise a frog makes, for some reason. I just find it a rather abrupt and unpleasant sound.
Sorry.
Merit is a brand of cigarettes. Still nicer than [name]Newport[/name], or goodness help us, Kools, but it does take some shine off it for me.
Merit is still nicer than Meritt, which is very surname-y rather than virtue-y, and if I had to choose there I’d always choose virtue-y.
[name]Marit[/name] and Merit I would pronounce differently from each other, but I would pronounce Mer and [name]Mare[/name] differently from each other and I don’t think everywhere in the US does distinguish, same as they think merry/[name]Mary[/name]/marry all sound the same and I hear three different ways.
I don’t smoke, I had no idea it was a cigarette brand. I don’t see a huge issue with it, I don’t think it’s something people would jump to immediately.
I don’t smoke either. It’s still up on posters in a lot of my ([name]East[/name] Coast USA) hometown. shrug