I like your suggestion! I sometimes Merit a thread again even though I've already Merited it, when I realize I only sent 1 or 2 Merit the first time, and OP has been updating the topic for many months. I tend to easily overlook threads like this, while I Merit new threads more often.
Highlighting my own name looks useful

Alternatively the meriters could be listed alphabetically. That way it would be a bit easier to find your name if it is on the list.
The current sorting priority is:
1. Most Merit first
2. Oldest account first2. First Meriting user first (thanks
akhjob)
I don't think this should change.