Girl

Merle

MERL

Rare & Uncommon ✦ Vintage

✦ Meaning

“From Old French 'merle,' meaning blackbird. Also used as name honoring strength and freedom in Celtic traditions.”

Popularity Over Time

Merle US popularity rank over timeRank 17035 in 2004 to rank 294 in 1903. Lower rank numbers are more popular.#294#8665#17035190019201940196019802004

Merle is not currently in the US top 1000.

Origin

CelticOld French

Syllables

1

Style

NatureMinimalStrongElegantTimeless

Famous Bearers

  • Merle Oberon (actress)
  • Merle Haggard (musician)
  • Meryl Streep (often spells differently)

Collections

Nature Names → Beautiful But Not Top 100 → Short & Strong →

Similar Names

Myrtle

Greek Rare & Uncommon

Marley

Old English Beautiful But Not Top 100

Marlene

Germanic Rare & Uncommon

Sibling Name Ideas

Rowan

Gaelic Top 100

Silas

Latin Top 100

Iris

Greek Top 100

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Cross-Cultural Notes

Works across English and French contexts

People Also Ask

From Old French 'merle,' meaning blackbird. Also used as name honoring strength and freedom in Celtic traditions.

Merle is not currently in the US top 1000, making it a genuinely rare choice. It's making a comeback as part of the vintage name wave.

Merle works beautifully as a full name and does not lend itself to an obvious short form. Most parents see that as a feature.

Names that pair beautifully with Merle include Rowan, Silas, Iris.