Merl
boy nameMerl entered the US charts in 1886, peaked at #591 in 1907, is rarely given today — a rare gem few children share.
Popularity 1886–2025
—
rank today
#591
peak (1907)
0
babies in 2025
rare
a rare gem few children share
Rank by decade
| Decade | Average rank |
|---|---|
| 1880s | #719 |
| 1890s | #866 |
| 1900s | #931 |
| 1910s | #802 |
| 1920s | #797 |
| 1930s | #1025 |
| 1940s | #1204 |
| 1950s | #1536 |
| 1960s | #2293 |
| 1970s | #3762 |
| 1980s | #6520 |
Living bearers
About 600 people named Merl are estimated to be alive in the US today.
The typical Merl alive today was born around 1928, making them about 97 years old.
Estimated from official SSA birth records and life tables.
Names similar in popularity
Frequently asked questions
- How popular is the name Merl in 2025?
- Merl is rarely given in the US today — it does not rank in the top 2000 boy names.
- When was the name Merl most popular?
- Merl peaked in 1907, reaching #591 among US boy names.
- Will my child share the name Merl with classmates?
- Merl will almost certainly be the only one in school.
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