Recent in Baby
When Baby Resists SolidsWhen Baby Resists SolidsBaby Biting TipsBaby Biting Tips5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair Injuries5 Tips To Help Prevent Highchair InjuriesWhen Baby and Pet MeetWhen Baby and Pet MeetTreatments for ColicTreatments for ColicBaby Milestones – The First YearBaby Milestones – The First YearTips for Relieving Teething PainTips for Relieving Teething PainBenefits of Making Your Own Baby FoodBenefits of Making Your Own Baby Food

Home › Baby Names Directory › Merrill

Merrill

♂ Boy

Pronounced MAIR-ul /ˈmɛr.əl/Medium

Meaning: From the English surname Merrill, from Old English 'pleasant hill' (myrig + hyll) or from a medieval form of Muriel ('bright sea'), and popularly linked to the blackbird (merle). Now used as a given name.Low

In 30 seconds: A surname-name: Merrill means 'pleasant hill' or 'blackbird' (said 'MAIR-ul'). Gentle and vintage.
💕 Browse more names
Origin MediumEnglish
MeaningFrom the English surname Merrill, from Old English 'pleasant hill' (myrig + hyll) or from a medieval form of Muriel ('bright sea'), and popularly linked to the blackbird (merle). Now used as a given name.
U.S. rank (2025)#6333 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births14 boys (0.00% of U.S. boys)
Peak year1926
Total births (all-time)≈ 12,988

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192618802025

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

Merrill comes from the English surname, from Old English for 'pleasant hill' or from a form of Muriel, and often linked to the blackbird. Carried into given-name use, it reads as gentle and vintage, rare today (said 'MAIR-ul').

In the U.S. it appears rarely as a first name. Rare, surname-style, and soft.

Did you know? Merrill is an English surname read as 'pleasant hill,' or tied to Muriel and the blackbird (merle) — a soft, vintage-feeling name now used for children (said 'MAIR-ul').
Overall data confidence 50%
References — Merrill — English surname 'pleasant hill' / 'blackbird' / form of Muriel

Variations

MerylMerrellMuriel

Nicknames

MerriRill

Famous Bearers

  • Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Merrill…

Emmett— a like gentle vintage boys' name
Everett— a like soft surname-style pick
Merritt— a like Mer- surname name
Russell— a like retro -ll surname choice

Explore names like Merrill

By themeenglishvintagesurnamenature-adjacent

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Merrill mean?

Merrill is an English surname read as 'pleasant hill,' tied to Muriel and to the blackbird (merle).

How do you pronounce Merrill?

It's said MAIR-ul /ˈmɛr.əl/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Merrill a boy or girl name?

Merrill is used as a boy's name.

How popular is Merrill?

Merrill is a rare name for boys in the U.S.

💬 Ask Nia