Merl
Every Merl since 1886 — 2,852 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Merl
Merl is not currently in use for newborns in the United States — fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.
Since 1886, 2,852 American babies have been named Merl — about 90% boys and 10% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1922, when 92 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1920s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Merl stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Merl year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | — | — | — | — |
| 2023 | — | — | — | — |
| 2022 | — | — | — | — |
| 2021 | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | — | — | — | — |
| 2019 | — | — | — | — |
| 2018 | — | — | — | — |
| 2017 | — | — | — | — |
| 2016 | — | — | — | — |
| 2015 | — | — | — | — |
| 2014 | — | — | — | — |
| 2013 | — | — | — | — |
| 2012 | — | — | — | — |
| 2011 | — | — | — | — |
| 2010 | — | — | — | — |
| 2009 | — | — | — | — |
| 2008 | — | — | — | — |
| 2007 | — | — | — | — |
| 2006 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | — | — | — | — |
| 2004 | — | — | — | — |
| 2003 | — | — | — | — |
| 2002 | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | — | — | — | — |
| 2000 | — | — | — | — |
| 1995 | — | — | — | — |
| 1990 | — | — | — | — |
| 1985 | — | — | 5 | #7,224 |
| 1980 | — | — | — | — |
| 1975 | — | — | 7 | #4,633 |
| 1970 | — | — | 8 | #3,725 |
| 1965 | — | — | 15 | #2,141 |
| 1960 | — | — | 14 | #2,278 |
| 1955 | — | — | 24 | #1,596 |
| 1950 | — | — | 34 | #1,248 |
| 1945 | — | — | 29 | #1,241 |
| 1940 | 7 | #3,740 | 33 | #1,174 |
| 1935 | 8 | #3,346 | 31 | #1,219 |
| 1930 | 9 | #3,244 | 44 | #1,044 |
| 1925 | 9 | #3,567 | 70 | #791 |
| 1920 | 15 | #2,433 | 74 | #773 |
| 1915 | 10 | #2,837 | 57 | #809 |
| 1910 | — | — | 12 | #971 |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | 8 | #1,264 | 5 | #1,199 |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Merl in 2025?
Merl did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.
How many people are named Merl?
2,852 babies have been named Merl in the United States since 1886, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Merl most popular?
Merl peaked in 1922, when 92 newborns received the name.
Is Merl a boy or girl name?
Merl is used for both: about 10% of babies named Merl have been girls and 90% boys.
Is the name Merl rising or falling?
Merl has been roughly stable over the past decade.