Merlyn
Every Merlyn since 1908 — 5,045 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Merlyn
Merlyn is rare for boys in the United States, ranked #11,534 in 2025 with 6 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1908, 5,045 American babies have been named Merlyn — about 68% boys and 32% girls, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 1930, when 159 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 1930s.
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 Merlyn stood among all boys' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Merlyn 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 | 7 | #12,740 | 6 | #11,534 |
| 2024 | 5 | #16,885 | — | — |
| 2023 | 12 | #8,808 | — | — |
| 2022 | 11 | #9,452 | 7 | #10,496 |
| 2021 | 10 | #10,070 | 6 | #11,676 |
| 2020 | 12 | #8,772 | 5 | #13,396 |
| 2019 | 10 | #10,240 | 6 | #11,669 |
| 2018 | 9 | #11,157 | — | — |
| 2017 | 9 | #11,317 | 6 | #11,709 |
| 2016 | 8 | #12,511 | 6 | #11,665 |
| 2015 | 12 | #9,325 | — | — |
| 2014 | 9 | #11,637 | 5 | #13,381 |
| 2013 | 5 | #18,378 | 6 | #11,692 |
| 2012 | 8 | #13,045 | 5 | #13,555 |
| 2011 | 15 | #8,071 | — | — |
| 2010 | 15 | #8,170 | — | — |
| 2009 | 16 | #7,950 | 8 | #9,582 |
| 2008 | 23 | #6,077 | — | — |
| 2007 | 18 | #7,308 | — | — |
| 2006 | 15 | #8,116 | — | — |
| 2005 | 16 | #7,382 | — | — |
| 2004 | 16 | #7,284 | 7 | #9,607 |
| 2003 | 19 | #6,232 | — | — |
| 2002 | 10 | #10,002 | — | — |
| 2001 | 10 | #9,855 | — | — |
| 2000 | 13 | #7,881 | 10 | #6,672 |
| 1995 | 12 | #7,368 | — | — |
| 1990 | 7 | #10,967 | 5 | #9,040 |
| 1985 | 8 | #8,038 | — | — |
| 1980 | — | — | 12 | #3,547 |
| 1975 | — | — | 6 | #5,227 |
| 1970 | 6 | #7,653 | 8 | #3,726 |
| 1965 | 8 | #5,145 | 7 | #3,449 |
| 1960 | 11 | #4,086 | 16 | #2,094 |
| 1955 | 17 | #2,799 | 28 | #1,476 |
| 1950 | 15 | #2,740 | 42 | #1,099 |
| 1945 | 23 | #1,781 | 57 | #835 |
| 1940 | 25 | #1,574 | 89 | #634 |
| 1935 | 36 | #1,193 | 105 | #564 |
| 1930 | 22 | #1,737 | 137 | #510 |
| 1925 | 41 | #1,219 | 79 | #735 |
| 1920 | 15 | #2,435 | 66 | #832 |
| 1915 | 14 | #2,213 | 39 | #1,031 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Merlyn in 2025?
Merlyn ranked #11,534 among boys' names in the United States in 2025, with 6 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Merlyn?
5,045 babies have been named Merlyn in the United States since 1908, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Merlyn most popular?
Merlyn peaked in 1930, when 159 newborns received the name.
Is Merlyn a boy or girl name?
Merlyn is used for both: about 32% of babies named Merlyn have been girls and 68% boys.
Is the name Merlyn rising or falling?
Merlyn is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.