Merlin Boy

Popularity: #879 · Trend: ↗ Rising

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.

ArthurGawainLancelotTristanIsoldeGuinevere

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.

MerrickMarlinMiloMalcolmMasonMerrynMilanMarius

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Merlin was first seen in the United States in 1885.

Merlin has ranked as high as #611 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.

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 Total Births Boy Girl
2025 73 59 14
2024 86 73 13
2023 75 62 13
2022 60 49 11
2021 82 70 12
2020 69 52 17
2019 63 53 10
2018 69 57 12
2017 68 54 14
2016 51 40 11
2015 47 35 12
2014 46 34 12
2013 45 37 8
2012 54 39 15
2011 43 31 12
2010 39 24 15
2009 57 40 17
2008 66 40 26
2007 68 43 25
2006 71 49 22
2005 55 37 18
2004 58 46 12
2003 74 44 30
2002 58 43 15
2001 68 54 14
2000 59 47 12
1999 54 49 5
1998 55 45 10
1997 37 30 7
1996 53 39 14
1995 59 40 19
1994 46 28 18
1993 47 41 6
1992 52 33 19
1991 53 42 11
1990 54 44 10
1989 35 27 8
1988 49 49 0
1987 45 39 6
1986 34 34 0
1985 44 44 0
1984 39 39 0
1983 47 40 7
1982 50 45 5
1981 42 42 0
1980 54 48 6
1979 45 45 0
1978 48 48 0
1977 48 48 0
1976 53 53 0
1975 48 48 0
1974 57 57 0
1973 55 50 5
1972 77 71 6
1971 65 65 0
1970 48 48 0
1969 74 74 0
1968 65 65 0
1967 73 73 0
1966 96 87 9
1965 81 81 0
1964 100 95 5
1963 108 108 0
1962 96 96 0
1961 110 110 0
1960 105 105 0
1959 130 130 0
1958 161 156 5
1957 152 147 5
1956 155 150 5
1955 181 175 6
1954 159 151 8
1953 158 158 0
1952 162 156 6
1951 176 176 0
1950 175 175 0
1949 155 150 5
1948 167 155 12
1947 174 163 11
1946 214 207 7
1945 194 187 7
1944 208 208 0
1943 271 266 5
1942 225 217 8
1941 264 258 6
1940 256 249 7
1939 254 245 9
1938 284 284 0
1937 257 257 0
1936 289 274 15
1935 319 308 11
1934 289 283 6
1933 311 302 9
1932 324 314 10
1931 378 363 15
1930 338 333 5
1929 340 328 12
1928 314 307 7
1927 405 389 16
1926 382 368 14
1925 359 343 16
1924 347 337 10
1923 276 266 10
1922 338 328 10
1921 353 342 11
1920 321 314 7
1919 259 251 8
1918 280 268 12
1917 242 230 12
1916 231 220 11
1915 179 179 0
1914 127 127 0
1913 85 85 0
1912 82 76 6
1911 33 33 0
1910 23 23 0
1909 20 20 0
1908 30 30 0
1907 21 21 0
1906 12 12 0
1905 10 10 0
1904 14 14 0
1903 9 9 0
1902 14 14 0
1901 13 7 6
1900 8 8 0
1899 8 8 0
1898 7 7 0
1896 6 6 0
1895 10 10 0
1891 6 6 0
1890 5 5 0
1887 8 8 0
1885 6 6 0

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. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
CA 8
29%
TX 7
25%
OH 7
25%
CO 6
21%