Merle

♀ Girl

Pronounced MURL /ˈmɜːrl/Medium

Meaning: Merle comes from French merle, 'blackbird.' A vintage unisex name, worn by actress Merle Oberon. A slim, one-syllable classic.Low

In 30 seconds: A vintage bird name: Merle is French for 'blackbird' - unisex, worn by Merle Oberon (said 'MURL').

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Origin MediumFrench, English

MeaningMerle comes from French merle, 'blackbird.' A vintage unisex name, worn by actress Merle Oberon. A slim, one-syllable classic.

U.S. rank (2004)#17896 ↘ Falling

2004 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1921

Total births (all-time)≈ 14,718

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Merle comes from the French merle, 'blackbird.' It is a vintage unisex name, best known through actress Merle Oberon. A slim, single-syllable sound (said 'MURL').

It appears only rarely for girls in the U.S. Rare, vintage, and unisex.

Did you know? Merle means 'blackbird' in French; a soft, old-fashioned name used for girls and boys alike, and carried by 1930s film star Merle Oberon.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Merle — French merle 'blackbird'; unisex

Variations

MerlMerylMerla

Nicknames

MerlMerlie

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Merle…

Meryl— a like vintage sound-cousin

Pearl— a like one-beat vintage name

Hazel— a like nature-tinged pick

Opal— a like old-fashioned choice

Explore names like Merle

By themeunisex nature french vintage

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Merle mean?

Merle comes from French merle, 'blackbird'; a vintage unisex name worn by actress Merle Oberon.

How do you pronounce Merle?

It's said MURL /ˈmɜːrl/ — 1 syllable.

Is Merle a boy or girl name?

Merle is a unisex name used for girls and boys; it is used here for a girl.

How popular is Merle?

Merle is extremely rare for girls in the U.S. — a newly emerging pick.