BoyEnglish origin2 syllables

Merle

Meaning: “blackbird”

About the name Merle

Merle is a boy name with English roots, meaning “blackbird”.

It has a vintage, unique feel. In 2025, Merle ranked #3485 for boys in the US, with 33 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 1941. Since 2000, 97% of US babies named Merle were boys.

Etymology

From English, meaning “blackbird”.

Name meaning adapted from Wiktionary (“Merle”) by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.

US rank 2025: #3485
In 2015: #4653
Babies in 2025: 33

Popularity of Merle, 1940–2025

Boys GirlsBabies per year in the US

Latest SSA data: 2025.

Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).

Names similar to Merle

Alton“river source + settlement, town”
Buddy“buddy”
Chester“a town or city, especially a Roman one”
Clifford“cliff + ford”
Edmund“prosperity + protection”
Elmer“noble + famous”
Herman“army + man”
Wilbur“will + fortress”
Willard“will + brave, strong”
Earl“nobleman”

Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.