A 1910s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Merle since 1880
Babies named Merle per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1925, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Merle's real moment was 1918.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 163 | 207 |
| 1890s | 717 | 378 |
| 1900s | 1,066 | 651 |
| 1910s | 2,820 | 4,645 |
| 1920s | 3,603 | 7,970 |
| 1930s | 2,497 | 5,800 |
| 1940s | 2,154 | 4,187 |
| 1950s | 1,151 | 3,031 |
| 1960s | 363 | 1,503 |
| 1970s | 94 | 929 |
| 1980s | 57 | 502 |
| 1990s | 23 | 292 |
| 2000s | 10 | 214 |
| 2010s | 0 | 180 |
| 2020s | 5 | 177 |
Meaning & origin
Merle is a name that peaked in popularity in 1918, when it ranked among the more common choices for boys. In that era, it was given to many newborn sons, but by 2025 its rank had fallen to 3450, with only about 1 in 51760 births receiving the name. The name's trajectory has been rising since 2013, suggesting a quiet revival among parents seeking vintage, nature-inspired names. Its origin from the French word for blackbird gives it a grounded, earthy feel. While no state has a particular concentration of Merle today, its early 20th century peak aligns with a period when short, strong names were favored. Merle remains a distinctive choice that connects a child to an era of American naming history.
Merle derives from the Old French 'merle', meaning 'blackbird', itself from Latin 'merula'. It was used as a nickname for someone with dark hair or a dark complexion. In the United States, it saw peak popularity for boys in the 1910s.
Where Merle is most popular
Births per 100,000 boys by state. Press play or drag the slider to watch it move across the decades. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Merl
Variants: Merl
Sibling names for Merle
Names that share Merle's style, for a brother or sister.
