An uncommon French pick — distinctive and rare.
A surname from French of French origin.
Merle is a baby name of French origin, from the Old French word for 'blackbird' — the small, melodious songbird whose song has been celebrated in poetry and music for centuries. As a given name, Merle has been used for both boys and girls.
Merle has an old-fashioned, musical quality — associated with the legendary country singer Merle Haggard, whose voice defined a generation of American music.
Merle was #4210 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #4640, but its charm endures.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 142 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 180 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 214 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 292 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 502 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 929 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 1,503 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 3,030 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 4,187 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 5,800 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 7,970 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 4,645 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 651 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 378 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 207 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22 | #4640 |
| 2023 | 39 | #3157 |
| 2022 | 27 | #4055 |
| 2021 | 22 | #4586 |
| 2020 | 32 | #3465 |
| 2019 | 22 | #4589 |
| 2018 | 23 | #4441 |
| 2017 | 20 | #4872 |
| 2016 | 14 | #6233 |
| 2015 | 21 | #4650 |
| 2014 | 15 | #5901 |
| 2013 | 16 | #5556 |
| 2012 | 9 | #8637 |
| 2011 | 18 | #5122 |
| 2010 | 22 | #4466 |
| 2009 | 22 | #4534 |
| 2008 | 19 | #5005 |
| 2007 | 17 | #5350 |
| 2006 | 26 | #3860 |
| 2005 | 18 | #4763 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Though more common for boys, Merle has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 14,718 births since 1880.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1880–2024) · Methodology