Merlyn
Merlyn is a boy's name of Celtic origin.
Meaning
Sea fortress or sea hill.
Origin and history
Merlyn is a variant spelling of Merlin, derived from the Welsh name Myrddin, meaning sea fortress. While historically linked to the legendary Arthurian magician, it has also been used as a rare given name for boys in the United States since the late 19th century.
Popularity in the United States
3,410 babies in the United States have been named Merlyn since 1880. It ranks #2196 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1903.
States where it is most popular
- IA (31.5 %)
- MN (21.5 %)
- WI (12.5 %)
- SD (9.9 %)
- NE (9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 5 |
| 1910-1920 | 286 |
| 1920-1930 | 812 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,095 |
| 1940-1950 | 597 |
| 1950-1960 | 301 |
| 1960-1970 | 128 |
| 1970-1980 | 48 |
| 1980-1990 | 23 |
| 1990-2000 | 32 |
| 2000-2010 | 25 |
| 2010-2019 | 34 |
| 2020-2029 | 24 |
Famous people named Merlyn
- Merlyn Rees: Politician, Cabinet Minister
- Merlyn Severaid: Politician
Nicknames
Merl
Fun facts
- Merlyn is a direct phonetic spelling variant of Merlin, the famous wizard of Arthurian mythology.
- Author T.H. White famously used the spelling 'Merlyn' for the wizard character in his classic novel 'The Once and Future King'.