Holding steady.
Popularity of Merl since 1886
Babies named Merl per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1922, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Merl's real moment was 1907.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 15 |
| 1890s | 16 | 58 |
| 1900s | 19 | 69 |
| 1910s | 75 | 503 |
| 1920s | 98 | 693 |
| 1930s | 41 | 411 |
| 1940s | 18 | 331 |
| 1950s | 6 | 265 |
| 1960s | 5 | 145 |
| 1970s | 0 | 69 |
| 1980s | 0 | 15 |
| 1990s | 0 | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Merl is a short, simple name that emerged as a variant of Merle in the late 19th century. Its first recorded use in U.S. data was in 1886, and it reached a peak in 1907 before declining. The name has remained stable in its rarity, never reentering common usage. Despite its low popularity, it has been used consistently across the decades. Merl is typically given to boys and has a straightforward, vintage feel reminiscent of similar short names from the early 1900s.
Merl is a diminutive or variant of Merle, which comes from the Old French word 'merle' meaning 'blackbird'. Merle was used as a given name in medieval times, sometimes referencing the bird or as a surname. Merl emerged as an independent given name in the late 19th century, particularly in the United States.
Nicknames & variants
Sibling names for Merl
Names that share Merl's style, for a brother or sister.
