Holding steady.
Popularity of Murlin since 1912
Babies named Murlin per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Boys |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 56 |
| 1920s | 116 |
| 1930s | 80 |
| 1940s | 63 |
| 1950s | 6 |
| 1960s | 0 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Murlin is a distinctive name that first appeared in U.S. records in 1912, but it saw its peak usage in 1927, a year that highlights its strongest moment. Despite that early peak, the name has never been common; it has no recorded one-in-N figure because it did not reach the threshold for that statistic. Its trajectory has remained stable over the decades, meaning it has neither surged nor declined significantly since the mid-20th century. The name has no strong association with any particular state, reflecting its scattered, low-level use across the country. For parents seeking a rare historical name with a soft sound, Murlin offers a blend of the familiar and the uncommon.
Murlin is likely a diminutive or variant of Muriel, which derives from the Irish Gaelic Muirgheal meaning "bright sea." It may also be a spelling variant of Merlin, a name of Welsh origin from Myrddin, though the connection is uncertain. The name saw modest use in the United States during the early 20th century, particularly in the 1920s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mur, Lin
Variants: Murlyn
Sibling names for Murlin
Names that share Murlin's style, for a brother or sister.
