US Popularity:6852
Origin:French
Other Origin(s):Celtic, Latin
Meaning:Blackbird; Sea bright, shining sea
Merle is a gender-neutral name of French and Latin origin, meaning “blackbird.” In Old French, the word merle translates to “blackbird,” and this is where Merle soars from! With its no-fuss, one-syllable pronunciation, Merle rolls off the tongue with ease! Merle could also be related to Muriel, a Celtic title that means “sea bright” or “shining sea.” When your Merle takes flight and starts to explore the world, they’ll see all the opportunities and possibilities that await.

Famous People Named Merle

Wondering who else shares this name? Check out these well known people who made this baby name famous.
  • Merle Haggard
    Musician

How Popular Is The Name Merle?

The Bump Ranking

Overall:Merle is currently #4104 on The Bump
Boy:Merle is currently #2297 on The Bump Boy Names
Girl:Merle is currently #2735 on The Bump Girl Names

U.S. Births

Overall:Merle is currently #6852 in U.S. births
Boy:Merle is currently #3194 in U.S. births

Yearly Ranking Change:

Year:
2023
Gender:
Girl
#
in 2023
No change
from 2022
In comparison to the previous year's data
Sources
  • Behind the Name, Merle, December 2024

  • Online Etymology Dictionary, merle (n.), December 2018

  • Name Doctor, Merle

  • WordSense Dictionary, Muriel

  • WordSense Dictionary, Merle

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