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Home › Baby Names Directory › Merlin

Merlin

♀ Girl

Pronounced MUR-lin /ˈmɜr.lɪn/High

Meaning: From the Welsh Myrddin, variously 'a sea fortress' and 'a falcon (the merlin)' — the wizard of Arthurian legend; overwhelmingly a boys' name, here recorded for a girl; we flag the cross-sex use and the literary linkLow

In 30 seconds: A sea fortress; a falcon: Merlin is Welsh — overwhelmingly a boys' name (the Arthurian wizard), here for a girl. Lyrical and mythic.
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Origin LowWelsh
MeaningFrom the Welsh Myrddin, variously 'a sea fortress' and 'a falcon (the merlin)' — the wizard of Arthurian legend; overwhelmingly a boys' name, here recorded for a girl; we flag the cross-sex use and the literary link
U.S. rank (2025)#7758 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births14 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2003
Total births (all-time)≈ 918

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200319012025

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

Merlin comes from the Welsh Myrddin, variously 'a sea fortress' and 'a falcon (the merlin)' — the wizard of Arthurian legend (we note the literary link). It is overwhelmingly a boys' name; on this record it is given to a girl, which we flag honestly (slug distinguished; said 'MUR-lin').

In the U.S. it is almost entirely a boys' name. As a girl's name it is very rare, a-falcon at the root, and mythic.

Did you know? Merlin (from Welsh Myrddin) is variously 'a sea fortress' and 'a falcon' — the wizard of Arthurian legend — overwhelmingly a boys' name; here it is recorded for a girl, which we flag honestly (we note the literary link; said 'MUR-lin').
Overall data confidence 30%
References — Merlin — cross-sex use & literary link flagged

Variations

MyrddinMerlynMerlina

Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

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If you like Merlin…

Marlowe— a sound-neighbor Mar-/Mer- unisex name
Wren— a fellow bird-name girls' name
Merrin— shares the -in ending
Aelin— a fellow Welsh choice
Griffin— shares the -in ending

Explore names like Merlin

By themeuncertaincross-sexwelshliterary
By meaningSea / WaterBird

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Merlin mean?

Merlin is Welsh, variously 'a sea fortress' and 'a falcon' (the Arthurian wizard). It is overwhelmingly a boys' name; here it is recorded for a girl, which we flag. We note the literary link.

How do you pronounce Merlin?

It's said MUR-lin /ˈmɜr.lɪn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Merlin a boy or girl name?

Merlin is overwhelmingly a boys' name; this record is for a girl, which we flag honestly.

How popular is Merlin?

As a girl's name Merlin is very rare in the U.S.

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