A 1930s favorite, climbing again.
Popularity of Merlin since 1885
Babies named Merlin per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls | Boys |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 0 | 14 |
| 1890s | 0 | 42 |
| 1900s | 6 | 145 |
| 1910s | 49 | 1,492 |
| 1920s | 113 | 3,322 |
| 1930s | 80 | 2,963 |
| 1940s | 68 | 2,060 |
| 1950s | 35 | 1,574 |
| 1960s | 14 | 894 |
| 1970s | 11 | 533 |
| 1980s | 32 | 407 |
| 1990s | 119 | 391 |
| 2000s | 191 | 443 |
| 2010s | 121 | 404 |
| 2020s | 80 | 365 |
Meaning & origin
Merlin has never been a common name in the United States, but it has a distinct cultural resonance. First appearing in SSA records in 1885, it reached its peak rank in 1931 (rank 233 in that year, within its highest usage, though the digest shows peak year 1931). Since 2010, its trajectory has been rising, and by 2025 it ranked 2,332 with 1 in 28,950 births. The name is most popular in states like Indiana, Tennessee, and Texas. For parents drawn to Arthurian lore or Celtic heritage, Merlin offers a name that is both legendary and underused.
The name Merlin is the usual English form of the Welsh Myrddin, a name of uncertain etymology. It may derive from the Celtic elements *mori- 'sea' and *dunon 'fortress', meaning 'sea fortress', or from *mer- 'crazy' (as in Myrddin Wyllt, a prophetic madman in Welsh tradition). The name was popularized by Geoffrey of Monmouth's 12th-century Historia Regum Britanniae, which introduced Merlin the wizard, a composite of the historical Myrddin and other legends. Since then, Merlin has been used as a given name, particularly in English-speaking countries, though it remains uncommon. Its use declined in the mid-20th century but has seen a modest revival since 2010.
Where Merlin 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.
“Merlin” around the world
Where Merlin lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
65
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Merl
Sibling names for Merlin
Names that share Merlin's style, for a brother or sister.
