Merly

♀ Girl

Pronounced MER-lee /ˈmɜːr.li/Medium

Meaning: A short name read as a form of Merle ('blackbird') or a clip of Marilyn/Meraly, used in Latin America. The exact route is uncertain, which we note.Low

In 30 seconds: A crisp two-beat name: Merly reads as a Merle or Marilyn short form (said 'MER-lee'). Routes are uncertain, which we note.

💕 Browse more names

Origin LowSpanish, English

MeaningA short name read as a form of Merle ('blackbird') or a clip of Marilyn/Meraly, used in Latin America. The exact route is uncertain, which we note.

U.S. rank (2024)#11755 ↗ Rising

2024 U.S. births8 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2012

Total births (all-time)≈ 242

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

Merly works as a short form of Merle or Marilyn, used across Latin America. Crisp and modern, its precise route is uncertain, which we note. Rare in the U.S. (said 'MER-lee').

In the U.S. it appears rarely, mostly in Latino families. Rare, crisp, and bright.

Did you know? Merly reads as a short form of Merle ('blackbird') or a clip of Marilyn, used in Latin America — bright and compact, its route uncertain, which we note (said 'MER-lee').

Overall data confidence 34%

References — Merly — Short Merle/Marilyn form; Latin American use; route uncertain

Variations

MerleMeralyMerli

Nicknames

MerLily

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Merly…

Merle— a base name Merly may shorten

Marilyn— a like source name for the sound

Nelly— a like short -ly girls' name

Marely— a like Latin American short name

Explore names like Merly

By themeuncertain modern spanish short

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Merly mean?

Merly reads as a short form of Merle ('blackbird') or Marilyn; the route is uncertain, which we note.

How do you pronounce Merly?

It's said MER-lee /ˈmɜːr.li/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Merly a boy or girl name?

Merly is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Merly?

Merly is a rare name in the U.S.