Merlin
From Middle English Merlyn, from Medieval Latin Merlinus and Old French Merlin, from Proto-Brythonic *Mor-ðin (literally “sea-hill”), from Proto-Celtic *mori (“sea”) +…
Every Merlin since 1885 — 15,968 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Merlin
Merlin is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #2,343 in 2025 with 59 babies given the name. It is currently rising compared with a decade ago.
Since 1885, 15,968 American babies have been named Merlin — about 94% boys and 6% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1927, when 405 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 Merlin stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Merlin 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 | 14 | #7,758 | 59 | #2,343 |
| 2024 | 13 | #8,281 | 73 | #2,072 |
| 2023 | 13 | #8,345 | 62 | #2,285 |
| 2022 | 11 | #9,451 | 49 | #2,703 |
| 2021 | 12 | #8,818 | 70 | #2,092 |
| 2020 | 17 | #6,825 | 52 | #2,493 |
| 2019 | 10 | #10,239 | 53 | #2,514 |
| 2018 | 12 | #8,987 | 57 | #2,346 |
| 2017 | 14 | #8,142 | 54 | #2,408 |
| 2016 | 11 | #9,866 | 40 | #2,967 |
| 2015 | 12 | #9,324 | 35 | #3,284 |
| 2014 | 12 | #9,354 | 34 | #3,283 |
| 2013 | 8 | #12,777 | 37 | #3,036 |
| 2012 | 15 | #8,079 | 39 | #2,989 |
| 2011 | 12 | #9,539 | 31 | #3,489 |
| 2010 | 15 | #8,169 | 24 | #4,194 |
| 2009 | 17 | #7,574 | 40 | #2,976 |
| 2008 | 26 | #5,532 | 40 | #2,988 |
| 2007 | 25 | #5,643 | 43 | #2,793 |
| 2006 | 22 | #6,062 | 49 | #2,500 |
| 2005 | 18 | #6,732 | 37 | #2,883 |
| 2004 | 12 | #9,081 | 46 | #2,442 |
| 2003 | 30 | #4,382 | 44 | #2,415 |
| 2002 | 15 | #7,318 | 43 | #2,398 |
| 2001 | 14 | #7,603 | 54 | #1,998 |
| 2000 | 12 | #8,378 | 47 | #2,162 |
| 1995 | 19 | #5,157 | 40 | #2,080 |
| 1990 | 10 | #8,293 | 44 | #1,800 |
| 1985 | — | — | 44 | #1,519 |
| 1980 | 6 | #9,882 | 48 | #1,368 |
| 1975 | — | — | 48 | #1,237 |
| 1970 | — | — | 48 | #1,201 |
| 1965 | — | — | 81 | #824 |
| 1960 | — | — | 105 | #755 |
| 1955 | 6 | #5,637 | 175 | #558 |
| 1950 | — | — | 175 | #507 |
| 1945 | 7 | #3,910 | 187 | #437 |
| 1940 | 7 | #3,741 | 249 | #364 |
| 1935 | 11 | #2,680 | 308 | #310 |
| 1930 | 5 | #5,030 | 333 | #311 |
| 1925 | 16 | #2,353 | 343 | #307 |
| 1920 | 7 | #4,271 | 314 | #328 |
| 1915 | — | — | 179 | #402 |
| 1910 | — | — | 23 | #612 |
| 1905 | — | — | 10 | #825 |
| 1900 | — | — | 8 | #1,019 |
| 1895 | — | — | 10 | #730 |
| 1890 | — | — | 5 | #1,106 |
| 1885 | — | — | 6 | #898 |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Merlin mean?
From Middle English Merlyn, from Medieval Latin Merlinus and Old French Merlin, from Proto-Brythonic *Mor-ðin (literally “sea-hill”), from Proto-Celtic *mori (“sea”) + *dūnom (“stronghold, rampart”).
How popular is the name Merlin in 2025?
Merlin ranked #2,343 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 59 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Merlin?
15,968 babies have been named Merlin in the United States since 1885, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Merlin most popular?
Merlin peaked in 1927, when 405 newborns received the name.
Is Merlin a boy or girl name?
Merlin is used for both: about 6% of babies named Merlin have been girls and 94% boys.
Is the name Merlin rising or falling?
Merlin is on the rise — noticeably more popular now than a decade ago.