Merlin
Boy name · Celtic · English · Latin · Scottish · Welsh
Meaningsea fortress · Welsh
- US rank
- #2,332
- Syllables
- 2
- Peak
- #287 in 1927
59 babies were named Merlin in the US in 2025. It has climbed 135 places in five years.
Found on lists
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US births per million boys, 1885–2025
Most popular states (2025)
Similar names
Popularity: U.S. Social Security Administration (babies with 5+ births per year).
Did you know?
A few things about Merlin you might not know, from US birth records. Handy for convincing a partner, or a grandparent.
- How commonAbout 1 in every 28,986 baby boys born in the US in 2025 was named Merlin, 59 babies in all. In a typical school of 500 kids, your Merlin would very likely be the only one.
- HistoryMerlin first shows up in US birth records in 1885, the first year at least 5 babies got it. It has been in use for 140 years since.
- Best yearIt was far more popular in 1927, when it ranked #287. Today it's #2,332, so it could be due a comeback.
- TrendMerlin has climbed 135 places in the US rankings over the last five years and now sits at #2,332. Fast risers like this often keep climbing, so expect to hear it more.
- Where it's lovedMerlin is most popular in Indiana, where it ranks #773, followed by Tennessee (#927). It's in the top 1,000 in 2 states.
- Boy or girlMerlin is given to both boys and girls: 81% of the 73 babies named Merlin in 2025 were boys. That makes it one of the names that truly works for either.
- MeaningIn Welsh, Merlin means “sea fortress”. Our records link it to Celtic, English and Latin roots.
About the name Merlin
Merlin is a boy name of Celtic, English and Latin origin meaning “sea fortress”. It has 6 letters and 2 syllables, starting with M and ending in “-lin”. US birth records list Merlin for boys from 1885 to 2025, in 134 of those 141 years. Its best year was 1927, when it ranked #287 among boy names. In 2025 it ranked #2,332, with 59 babies.
Origin:Celtic namesEnglish namesLatin namesScottish namesWelsh names
| Decade | Babies per million | About 1 in |
|---|---|---|
| 1880s | 27 | 37,147 boys |
| 1890s | 37 | 26,874 boys |
| 1900s | 104 | 9,589 boys |
| 1910s | 203 | 4,931 boys |
| 1920s | 301 | 3,319 boys |
| 1930s | 281 | 3,558 boys |
| 1940s | 145 | 6,900 boys |
| 1950s | 78 | 12,752 boys |
| 1960s | 46 | 21,678 boys |
| 1970s | 32 | 30,883 boys |
| 1980s | 22 | 45,188 boys |
| 1990s | 20 | 49,850 boys |
| 2000s | 22 | 45,025 boys |
| 2010s | 22 | 46,253 boys |
| 2020s | 35 | 28,396 boys |
Other spellings of Merlin
More Celtic boy names
- Unisex name: Owen · well-born
- Unisex name: Logan · little hollow
- Unisex name: Rowan · little red-haired one
- Unisex name: Nolan · descendant of Nuallán
- Unisex name: Cameron · crooked nose
- Boy name: Ian · God is gracious
- Unisex name: Gael · a Gael
- Boy name: Arthur · possibly bear
Questions about the name Merlin
What does the name Merlin mean?
Merlin means “sea fortress” in Welsh.
What is the origin of the name Merlin?
Merlin has Celtic, English, Latin, Scottish, Welsh roots in our records. Other Celtic names include Owen, Logan, Rowan.
Is Merlin a boy or girl name?
Merlin is a boy name, though a few girls get it too.
How popular is the name Merlin?
Merlin ranked #2,332 for US boys in 2025, given to 59 babies. Its best year was 1927 (#287).