Merl
Below 5 births
Below 5 births
About Merl
Merl as a feminine name (though historically more common for males) has Germanic origins deriving from 'merle,' meaning 'blackbird.' The blackbird association gives the name a natural, free-spirited quality. Merl can also be considered a shortened form of Merlin, connecting it to the legendary wizard in Arthurian tales, or Merlene, a feminine variation. As a female name, Merl peaked in popularity in the United States during the early 20th century but has since become quite rare. The name has a vintage, concise quality that might appeal to parents seeking short, nature-inspired names with historical roots. Merl's brevity gives it a certain strength and directness, while its bird association adds elements of freedom and musicality.
Merl is also given to boys.
Pronounced MERL.
As of October 2026, Merl ranked #7446 in US births in 1986 SSA, peaked at #609 in 1907.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · boys | Births · boys | US rank · girls | Births · girls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | — | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 0 | — | 0 |