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Home › Baby Names Directory › Merlyn

Merlyn

♂ Boy

Pronounced MER-lin /ˈmɜr.lɪn/Medium

Meaning: A variant spelling of Merlin, the Welsh Myrddin, understood as 'sea fort.' The name of the wizard of Arthurian legend. A magical, storied classic.Low

In 30 seconds: A form of Merlin: Merlyn means 'sea fort' (said 'MER-lin'). Magical and storied, tied to Arthurian legend.
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Origin MediumWelsh
MeaningA variant spelling of Merlin, the Welsh Myrddin, understood as 'sea fort.' The name of the wizard of Arthurian legend. A magical, storied classic.
U.S. rank (2022)#10493 ↗ Rising
2022 U.S. births7 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1930
Total births (all-time)≈ 3,404

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 193019082022

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

As a boy's name Merlyn spells Merlin, from the Welsh Myrddin ('sea fort'), famed as the Arthurian wizard. It reads magical and storied — rare in the U.S. (said 'MER-lin').

It appears only rarely in U.S. data. Rare, magical, and storied.

Did you know? Merlyn is a spelling of Merlin — the Welsh Myrddin, 'sea fort' — the wizard of Arthurian legend, giving the name a magical, storied air (said 'MER-lin').
Overall data confidence 44%
References — Merlyn — Merlin form; Welsh Myrddin 'sea fort'; Arthurian wizard

Variations

MerlinMerlynMyrddin

Nicknames

MerlLyn

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Merlyn…

Merlin— the standard spelling
Tristan— a like legendary pick
Emrys— a like Welsh Myrddin-linked name
Marvyn— lands in the same popularity range
Martyn— echoes that soft -yn sound

Explore names like Merlyn

By themevariant-spellingwelshlegendarymagical

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Merlyn mean?

Merlyn is a form of Merlin, from the Welsh Myrddin — 'sea fort'; the Arthurian wizard.

How do you pronounce Merlyn?

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

Is Merlyn a boy or girl name?

Merlyn is used here as a boy's name.

How popular is Merlyn?

Merlyn is a rare name in the U.S.

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