An uncommon Old French pick — distinctive and rare.
a crumb
Murl is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old French origin, a variant of Merle, from the Old French merle meaning 'blackbird.' Used as a given name in rural American communities in the early 20th century, it has a quiet, nature-inspired character.
Murl has 84+ years of history in the U.S., first appearing in 1886.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 11 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 34 | ▼ |
| 1960s | 94 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 185 | ▼ |
| 1940s | 266 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 362 | ▼ |
| 1920s | 511 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 365 | ▲ |
| 1900s | 68 | ▲ |
| 1890s | 40 | ▲ |
| 1880s | 5 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 5 | #6971 |
| 1980 | 6 | #6003 |
| 1978 | 5 | #6461 |
| 1977 | 6 | #5619 |
| 1974 | 7 | #4472 |
| 1973 | 6 | #4898 |
| 1971 | 5 | #5421 |
| 1970 | 5 | #5215 |
| 1969 | 8 | #3497 |
| 1968 | 8 | #3285 |
| 1967 | 7 | #3450 |
| 1965 | 7 | #3458 |
| 1964 | 13 | #2382 |
| 1963 | 17 | #2015 |
| 1962 | 8 | #3225 |
| 1961 | 14 | #2304 |
| 1960 | 12 | #2502 |
| 1959 | 14 | #2267 |
| 1958 | 19 | #1875 |
| 1957 | 20 | #1823 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Though more common for boys, Murl has a notable history as a girl's name too, with 626 births since 1885.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1886–1983) · Methodology