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NamyLab

Merlin

male
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Legendary Wizard"

Associated with Arthurian tradition, deriving from Welsh Myrddin and later adapted through medieval Latin and French texts.

Themes:legendmyrddinliterature
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Fact-checked by Lily Anderson

M.F.A. Creative Writing, Sarah LawrencePublished NovelistName Collection Curator • Creative Names Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Merlin

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#2083Ranked nationally
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
Unranked

Merlin did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

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Baby Name Lists That Include Merlin

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Merlin, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

11 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Merlin mean?
Merlin means "Legendary Wizard". Associated with Arthurian tradition, deriving from Welsh Myrddin and later adapted through medieval Latin and French tex
What is the origin of Merlin?
Merlin is of Welsh origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Merlin?
According to the latest SSA data, Merlin is currently ranked #2083 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Merlin a boy name?
Merlin is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Merlin?
Common nicknames can be formed by shortening or modifying the name. Check the Nicknames section above for specific suggestions.
What names are similar to Merlin?
There are many names similar to Merlin in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginWelsh
Syllables2
Length6 letters
US Rank#2083
Trend→ Stable
Starts withM

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Boy Names Like Merlin

Merlin has Welsh roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Welsh baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Merlin appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Unique Baby Names and Names That Mean Miracle And Blessing for Boys and Girls for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Travel And Adventure for Boys and Girls and Names That Mean The End for Boys and Girls.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Merlin pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Merlin beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.