Murl
Below 5 births
Below 5 births
About Murl
Murl is an uncommon masculine name with American roots, possibly originating as a variant of Merle or Muriel. Dating back to the early 20th century in the United States, Murl experienced modest popularity during the 1910s-1930s, particularly in rural communities across the Midwest and Southern states. The name has a straightforward, no-nonsense quality typical of early American naming patterns that favored short, strong-sounding names. Murl has steadily declined in usage since the mid-20th century, now considered a vintage rarity. The name's brevity and distinctive sound make it memorable, though its rarity means most people won't have personal associations with it.
Murl for girls
Murl is an uncommon feminine name with roots in American naming traditions of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It may have originated as a variant of Merle, which comes from the French word for blackbird, or as a shortened form of Muriel, meaning "bright sea" in Celtic traditions. Murl peaked in popularity in the United States during the 1900s-1920s and has since become quite rare. The name has a distinctive, compact sound with its single syllable and soft ending. Characteristic of names from America's rural heartland during the early 20th century, Murl carries a vintage charm and simplicity. Its rarity today gives it a unique quality for those seeking an uncommon name with historical roots.
Pronounced MERL.
As of October 2026, Murl ranked #6971 in US births in 1983 SSA, peaked at #788 in 1898.
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 |