Merl

Primarily a boy's name of Old French origin with 2,574 recorded births. Also given to 278 girls.

Boy's nameAlso girl'sRare nameNot ranked recently

Meaning & Origin

Alternative form of merle (blackbird)

Merl is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old French origin, from the word merle meaning 'blackbird.' Used as a given name since the 19th century, it has a quietly poetic, nature-inspired quality — the blackbird being a symbol of mystery and song.

EtymologyShow more

The ending of a name often carries more etymological information than the beginning. Merl's final sounds are sharp, distinct — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. In English-language naming, masculine names frequently end on harder consonants or closed syllables, creating a sense of decisiveness and strength. Merl follows that masculine pattern.

Explore the ending-based name pages on this site to find names that share Merl's suffix pattern — names with similar endings often share a style and era, even when they come from different linguistic backgrounds.

At a Glance

2,574

Total births

Since 1886

1922

Peak

83 births

1886

First recorded

101 years of data

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Popularity Over Time

Merl has 89+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1886.

First appeared: 1886Peak: 1922 (83 births)

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Merl
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
1980s	15	#7219	▼
1970s	69	#4003	▼
1960s	145	#2375	▼
1950s	265	#1562	▼
1940s	331	#1219	▼
1930s	411	#1036	▼
1920s	693	#804	▲
1910s	503	#819	▲
1900s	69	#996	▲
1890s	58	#935	▲
1880s	15	#768	—

The Story of Merl

A Greatest Generation name

Peaking in 1922, Merl is a name steeped in history. Boys named Merl are most likely born between 1912 and 1932.

How rare is Merl?

With 2,574 total births on record, Merl remains a rare and distinctive pick.

The journey through the decades

First appeared in the records in 1886, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1920s with 693 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.

Merl by the numbers

Would fill 54 school buses
Meeting one Merl per day would take 7.1 years

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(89 years, 1886–1986)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Merl
Year	Births	Rank	Change
1986	5	#7446	0
1985	5	#7225	0
1984	5	#6985	-3 (-37.5%)
1977	8	#4446	+2 (33.3%)
1976	6	#5374	-1 (-14.3%)
1975	7	#4632	-3 (-30.0%)
1974	10	#3488	0
1973	10	#3361	-3 (-23.1%)
1972	13	#2768	+6 (85.7%)
1971	7	#4230	-1 (-12.5%)
1970	8	#3725	-6 (-42.9%)
1969	14	#2375	+4 (40.0%)
1968	10	#2848	-3 (-23.1%)
1967	13	#2312	+7 (116.7%)
1966	6	#3793	-9 (-60.0%)
1965	15	#2140	-1 (-6.3%)
1964	16	#2084	-8 (-33.3%)
1963	24	#1646	+12 (100.0%)
1962	12	#2464	-9 (-42.9%)
1961	21	#1807	+7 (50.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Merl as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Merl has also been given to 278 girls in the U.S. since 1895.

Unranked

Current rank

278

Total births

1920

Peak year

Compare Merl as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Merl a boy's or girl's name?

Merl is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 278 recorded births.

When was Merl most popular?

Merl reached its peak popularity in 1922 with 83 births that year. It is not currently in the top rankings.

How popular is the name Merl?

Merl is not currently in the top rankings but has been given to 2,574 babies in the U.S. since 1886. Its peak was in 1922.

Can Merl be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Merl is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it is not currently ranked. As a girl's name, it is not currently in the top rankings.

Explore More

By Length4-letter names By OriginOld French names By EndingNames in -l TrendingRising names RankingsFull rankings

Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1886–1986