Holding steady.
Popularity of Merleen since 1936
Babies named Merleen per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1949, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Merleen's real moment was 1936.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 22 |
| 1940s | 59 |
| 1950s | 27 |
| 1960s | 5 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Merleen is an extremely rare feminine name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1936, its peak year of usage. The name has never ranked among the top 1000 names and has maintained a stable, low-level presence ever since. It is not associated with any particular state or region. The etymology is uncertain, but it likely arose as a modern coinage or a variant of Merle, possibly influenced by the popular -leen suffix seen in names like Kathleen and Arlene. Without a clear linguistic origin, the meaning remains speculative. Parents attracted to the name Merleen today may appreciate its rarity and soft, melodic sound.
Merleen is a rare name that first appears in U.S. records in 1936. It may be a feminine elaboration of Merle, itself derived from the French word for blackbird, or a combination of elements like Mar- and -leen. The name has never achieved widespread popularity.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mer, Lee
Sibling names for Merleen
Names that share Merleen's style, for a brother or sister.
