Merlin Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MER-lin //ˈmɜːrlɪn//
Origin: Welsh; Latin
Meaning: Welsh: sea fortress; Latin: falcon
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Merlin has its roots in the Old Welsh name "Myrddin," which is derived from the elements "myrdd" meaning "sea" and "din" meaning "fortress" or "hill." This name is believed to have evolved into the Latin form "Merlinus" during the medieval period, particularly as the tales of Merlin became popular in Arthurian legend. The transition into English occurred through the influence of Norman French, where the name was adopted and adapted in various forms, ultimately leading to the modern English "Merlin." Historically, Merlin is most famously associated with the legendary figure of Merlin the wizard in Arthurian literature, who is depicted as a wise advisor to King Arthur.
The earliest references to Merlin appear in the works of the 6th-century poet Taliesin, where he is mentioned as a bard and prophet. The character gained prominence in the 12th century through Geoffrey of Monmouth's "Historia Regum Britanniae," which helped solidify his role in the Arthurian narrative.
Subsequent medieval romances and literary works further developed his character, intertwining him with themes of magic, prophecy, and the supernatural. Culturally, Merlin symbolizes wisdom, magic, and the mystical connection between the past and the future.
His character has been interpreted in various ways throughout literature and folklore, often embodying the archetype of the wise old man or the trickster. The enduring legacy of Merlin is evident in numerous adaptations across different media, including literature, film, and television.
Additionally, the diminutive form "Merle" has been used in some contexts, though it is less common. Overall, the name Merlin carries a rich historical and cultural significance, reflecting the complexities of myth and legend in the British Isles.
Famous people named Merlin
In this section, you will find notable people named Merlin. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Merlin who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Merlin who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Merlin is a legendary figure best known for his role as the wizard in Arthurian legend.
Merlin Olsen was an American football player and actor best known for his time with the Los Angeles Rams and the television series Little House on the Prairie.
Merlin Mann is a productivity expert and writer best known for his work on the 43 Folders blog and the concept of Inbox Zero.
Fictional characters named Merlin
The following list of fictional characters named Merlin is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Merlin is a fictional character from Arthurian legend and various adaptations. He is a powerful wizard and advisor to King Arthur, often depicted as a mentor figure.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Merlin, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Merlin. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Merlin was first seen in the United States in 1885.
Merlin has ranked as high as #551 nationally, which occurred in 1927, and has been most popular in Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, Louisiana, and Ohio.
In the past 5 years the name Merlin has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Merlin is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Merlin was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Merlin (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 8 | |
| OH | 7 | |
| TX | 7 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Merlin.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 72 |
| 2023 | 62 |
| 2022 | 49 |
| 2021 | 70 |
| 2020 | 52 |
| 2019 | 53 |
| 2018 | 57 |
| 2017 | 54 |
| 2016 | 40 |
| 2015 | 35 |
| 2014 | 34 |
| 2013 | 37 |
| 2012 | 39 |
| 2011 | 31 |
| 2010 | 23 |
| 2009 | 40 |
| 2008 | 40 |
| 2007 | 43 |
| 2006 | 49 |
| 2005 | 37 |
| 2004 | 45 |
| 2003 | 44 |
| 2002 | 43 |
| 2001 | 54 |
| 2000 | 47 |
| 1999 | 49 |
| 1998 | 45 |
| 1997 | 30 |
| 1996 | 39 |
| 1995 | 40 |
| 1994 | 28 |
| 1993 | 41 |
| 1992 | 33 |
| 1991 | 42 |
| 1990 | 44 |
| 1989 | 27 |
| 1988 | 49 |
| 1987 | 39 |
| 1986 | 34 |
| 1985 | 44 |
| 1984 | 39 |
| 1983 | 40 |
| 1982 | 45 |
| 1981 | 42 |
| 1980 | 48 |
| 1979 | 45 |
| 1978 | 48 |
| 1977 | 48 |
| 1976 | 53 |
| 1975 | 48 |
| 1974 | 57 |
| 1973 | 50 |
| 1972 | 71 |
| 1971 | 65 |
| 1970 | 48 |
| 1969 | 74 |
| 1968 | 65 |
| 1967 | 73 |
| 1966 | 87 |
| 1965 | 81 |
| 1964 | 95 |
| 1963 | 109 |
| 1962 | 95 |
| 1961 | 110 |
| 1960 | 105 |
| 1959 | 130 |
| 1958 | 156 |
| 1957 | 147 |
| 1956 | 150 |
| 1955 | 175 |
| 1954 | 151 |
| 1953 | 158 |
| 1952 | 156 |
| 1951 | 176 |
| 1950 | 175 |
| 1949 | 150 |
| 1948 | 155 |
| 1947 | 163 |
| 1946 | 207 |
| 1945 | 187 |
| 1944 | 208 |
| 1943 | 266 |
| 1942 | 217 |
| 1941 | 258 |
| 1940 | 249 |
| 1939 | 245 |
| 1938 | 284 |
| 1937 | 257 |
| 1936 | 274 |
| 1935 | 308 |
| 1934 | 283 |
| 1933 | 302 |
| 1932 | 314 |
| 1931 | 363 |
| 1930 | 333 |
| 1929 | 328 |
| 1928 | 307 |
| 1927 | 389 |
| 1926 | 368 |
| 1925 | 343 |
| 1924 | 337 |
| 1923 | 266 |
| 1922 | 328 |
| 1921 | 342 |
| 1920 | 314 |
| 1919 | 251 |
| 1918 | 268 |
| 1917 | 230 |
| 1916 | 220 |
| 1915 | 179 |
| 1914 | 127 |
| 1913 | 85 |
| 1912 | 76 |
| 1911 | 33 |
| 1910 | 23 |
| 1909 | 20 |
| 1908 | 30 |
| 1907 | 21 |
| 1906 | 12 |
| 1905 | 10 |
| 1904 | 14 |
| 1903 | 9 |
| 1902 | 14 |
| 1901 | 7 |
| 1900 | 8 |
| 1899 | 8 |
| 1898 | 7 |
| 1896 | 6 |
| 1895 | 10 |
| 1891 | 6 |
| 1890 | 5 |
| 1887 | 8 |
| 1885 | 6 |