Merle
Merle is a girl's name of French origin.
Meaning
Blackbird.
Origin and history
Merle derives from the Old French word for a blackbird, originating from the Latin 'merula'. Historically used as a unisex name in the United States, it enjoyed peak popularity in the early to mid-20th century. Today, it is an uncommon vintage choice for girls.
Popularity in the United States
14,723 babies in the United States have been named Merle since 1880. It ranks #1291 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #2096.
States where it is most popular
- TX (10.4 %)
- IL (7.5 %)
- PA (6.3 %)
- CA (5.7 %)
- NY (5.6 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 163 |
| 1890-1900 | 717 |
| 1900-1910 | 1,066 |
| 1910-1920 | 2,820 |
| 1920-1930 | 3,603 |
| 1930-1940 | 2,497 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,154 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,151 |
| 1960-1970 | 363 |
| 1970-1980 | 94 |
| 1980-1990 | 57 |
| 1990-2000 | 23 |
| 2000-2010 | 10 |
| 2010-2019 | 0 |
| 2020-2029 | 5 |
Famous people named Merle
- Merle Oberon: Actress
Fun facts
- The name directly reflects the French word for blackbird, which traces back to the Latin 'merula'.
- While popular for both boys and girls in the early 1900s, it has become rare for both genders today.