Merlin
Literal root meaning: “sea-hill”
About the name Merlin
Merlin is a boy name with Proto-Brythonic roots, literally “sea-hill”.
It has a unique, nature feel. In 2025, Merlin ranked #2343 for boys in the US, with 59 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 1943. Since 2000, 76% of US babies named Merlin were boys.
Etymology
From Proto-Brythonic, meaning literally “sea-hill”.
Name meaning adapted from Wiktionary (“Merlin”) by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- US rank 2025
- #2343
- In 2015
- #3284
- Babies in 2025
- 59
Popularity of Merlin, 1940–2025
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 Merlin
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.