Home › Baby Names Directory › Merlyn
Merlyn
Pronounced MER-lin /ˈmɝ.lɪn/High
Meaning: A y-spelling of Merlin, the Latinised form of the Welsh Myrddin, the bard and enchanter of Arthurian legend. Merlin reads overwhelmingly as a male name, and we flag the lean honestly; merlin is also a small falcon.Low
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
Merlyn is a y-spelling of Merlin, the name of the bard and enchanter of Arthurian legend. It comes from the Welsh Myrddin, Latinised by Geoffrey of Monmouth as Merlinus. We state plainly that Merlin is overwhelmingly a male name, carried above all by the wizard of the Arthur stories; its use for girls is very rare and we flag that lean rather than passing over it. The word merlin also names a small, swift falcon, from an unrelated Old French root (said 'MER-lin').
It appears only in very small numbers for girls in the U.S. Rare, mythic, and cross-sex.
Variations
Nicknames
Famous Bearers
- Famous bearers coming soon.
If you like Merlyn…
Explore names like Merlyn
Frequently Asked
What does the name Merlyn mean?
Merlyn respells Merlin, from the Welsh Myrddin - the Arthurian enchanter, a male figure, which we flag honestly.
How do you pronounce Merlyn?
It's said MER-lin /ˈmɝ.lɪn/ - two syllables, stress on the first.
Is Merlyn a boy or girl name?
Merlyn is used here for a girl, but Merlin reads overwhelmingly as a male name - the Arthurian wizard - and we flag the lean honestly.
How popular is Merlyn?
Merlyn is extremely rare in the U.S.