Merl Unisex
Origin(s)
PronunciationMURL / mɜːrlEnglish; Welsh
Meaning
English: sea fortress; Welsh: bright sea
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Merl is often associated with the legendary figure Merlin, a prominent character in Arthurian legend. Merlin is depicted as a wise wizard and advisor to King Arthur. The name has seen various adaptations and interpretations throughout literature and folklore. Its usage as a given name has been relatively rare, contributing to its unique appeal.
Trend Summary
The name Merl has not been widely popular in the United States.
Similar Names
Variants
- Merle
International Variants
- Merlin (English)
- Merle (French)
Famous people named Merl
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Fictional characters named Merl
Merl (The Simpsons) is a minor character appearing in the animated series.
Sibling Suggestions
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Merl was first seen in the United States in 1886. Merl has ranked as high as #813 nationally, which occurred in 1922, and has been most popular in Indiana, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Iowa. In the past 5 years the name Merl has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
Top States for Merl (1956)
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 6 |
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 1886 | 7 |
| 1887 | 8 |
| 1891 | 9 |
| 1892 | 6 |
| 1893 | 6 |
| 1895 | 5 |
| 1896 | 9 |
| 1897 | 8 |
| 1898 | 5 |
| 1899 | 10 |
| 1901 | 7 |
| 1902 | 5 |
| 1903 | 7 |
| 1904 | 7 |
| 1906 | 7 |
| 1907 | 18 |
| 1908 | 11 |
| 1909 | 7 |
| 1910 | 12 |
| 1911 | 9 |
| 1912 | 31 |
| 1913 | 38 |
| 1914 | 52 |
| 1915 | 57 |
| 1916 | 74 |
| 1917 | 69 |
| 1918 | 79 |
| 1919 | 82 |
| 1920 | 74 |
| 1921 | 74 |
| 1922 | 83 |
| 1923 | 70 |
| 1924 | 66 |
| 1925 | 70 |
| 1926 | 70 |
| 1927 | 65 |
| 1928 | 61 |
| 1929 | 60 |
| 1930 | 44 |
| 1931 | 53 |
| 1932 | 48 |
| 1933 | 33 |
| 1934 | 46 |
| 1935 | 31 |
| 1936 | 43 |
| 1937 | 44 |
| 1938 | 42 |
| 1939 | 27 |
| 1940 | 33 |
| 1941 | 29 |
| 1942 | 37 |
| 1943 | 39 |
| 1944 | 30 |
| 1945 | 29 |
| 1946 | 25 |
| 1947 | 37 |
| 1948 | 42 |
| 1949 | 30 |
| 1950 | 34 |
| 1951 | 32 |
| 1952 | 37 |
| 1953 | 31 |
| 1954 | 16 |
| 1955 | 24 |
| 1956 | 25 |
| 1957 | 22 |
| 1958 | 26 |
| 1959 | 18 |
| 1960 | 14 |
| 1961 | 21 |
| 1962 | 12 |
| 1963 | 24 |
| 1964 | 16 |
| 1965 | 15 |
| 1966 | 6 |
| 1967 | 13 |
| 1968 | 10 |
| 1969 | 14 |
| 1970 | 8 |
| 1971 | 7 |
| 1972 | 13 |
| 1973 | 10 |
| 1974 | 10 |
| 1975 | 7 |
| 1976 | 6 |
| 1977 | 8 |
| 1984 | 5 |
| 1985 | 5 |
| 1986 | 5 |