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Merrell

♂ Boy

How to Pronounce Merrell

Pronounced MER-uhl /ˈmɛrəl/High

Meaning: Merrell is a surname that grew from the medieval given name Muriel, a Celtic name usually read as 'bright' or 'shining sea'. Handed down as a family name and then, in American fashion, revived as a first name, Merrell keeps that old sea-bright sense at one remove.Low

In 30 seconds: Merrell is an English surname from the old name Muriel, 'bright sea'. It saw light use for American boys near 1915 (said MER-uhl).

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Origin LowEnglish, Celtic

MeaningMerrell is a surname that grew from the medieval given name Muriel, a Celtic name usually read as 'bright' or 'shining sea'. Handed down as a family name and then, in American fashion, revived as a first name, Merrell keeps that old sea-bright sense at one remove.

U.S. rank (2015)#11632 ↘ Falling

2015 U.S. births6 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)

Peak year1915

Total births (all-time)≈ 1,164

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

Merrell is a surname descended from the medieval Muriel, a Celtic name traditionally understood as 'bright sea'. Like many matronymic surnames it passed through generations as a family name, then, in the American surname-forename habit, resurfaced as a boys' first name in the early twentieth century.

As a given name it was always uncommon, borne by only a couple dozen boys a year around its high in the mid nineteen-teens. It reads as a sturdy, slightly rustic surname-name today.

Did you know? Surprisingly, the rugged-sounding surname Merrell began as the girl's name Muriel, 'bright sea', before it ever named a man.

Overall data confidence 50%

References - Merrell / Muriel — Surname from Muriel 'bright sea'; surname-name

Variations

MerrillMerrelMerill

Nicknames

MerlMerle

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Merrell…

Merrill— the closest sister spelling

Merle— a like short vintage boy's name

Terrell— a rhyming surname-name of the era

Darrell— another -ell surname-name for boys

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By themeenglish vintage surname-name

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Merrell mean?

It's an English surname from the medieval name Muriel, usually read as 'bright sea'.

How do you pronounce Merrell?

It's said MER-uhl /ˈmɛrəl/, two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Merrell a boy or girl name?

Merrell is used as a boy's name.

Is Merrell a popular name?

No, it has always been rare as a first name, a surname used lightly for boys in the early twentieth century.