Holding steady.
Popularity of Merline since 1910
Babies named Merline per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1924, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Merline's real moment was 1931.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 65 |
| 1920s | 250 |
| 1930s | 273 |
| 1940s | 213 |
| 1950s | 111 |
| 1960s | 49 |
| 1970s | 7 |
| 1980s | 55 |
| 1990s | 25 |
| 2000s | 31 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Merline is a rare feminine name that saw its peak usage in the 1930s, with 1931 being its highest-ranking year. Despite not ranking in the top 1000 in recent decades, it has maintained a consistent but very low level of use, as indicated by its stable trajectory. The name may appeal to parents drawn to vintage, underused names with a soft, melodic sound. Its associations with both the Irish name Muriel and the Arthurian Merlin give it a touch of mythic charm, though it remains firmly off the beaten path.
Merline is likely a modern variant of Muriel, which derives from the Irish name Muirgel, combining muir (sea) and geal (bright). Alternatively, it may be a feminine form of Merlin, the legendary wizard of Arthurian legend. The name saw modest use in the early 20th century, particularly in the United States.
“Merline” around the world
Where Merline lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mer, Lina
Sibling names for Merline
Names that share Merline's style, for a brother or sister.
