Merle
A girls’ name of Old French origin, meaning blackbird.
Babies a year
20
the US, 2017
Rarity
Very rare
among names in use
US popularity
—
outside the top 1000
UK popularity
#5927
3 babies
Merle by the numbers
In 2025, 3 babies in England and Wales were named Merle. In the US, 20 were, though that figure is from 2017, the most recent full year we hold.
It is used at about the same rate on both sides of the Atlantic.
Its American peak was 835 babies in 1922, so it is a 1920s name that has since fallen a long way.
Spelled almost the same
Other names in the records within a letter or two of Merle. Close spellings are not always related names, but they are usually worth seeing together.
- Melesong or chant13 in the US (2017)
- Merlyvariant of Merle; blackbird or dark5 in the US (2017)
- Marleypleasant lake or fen clearing395 in England and Wales (2025)
- Marleepleasant lake or fen clearing; a variant of Marley657 in the US (2017)
- Marieof the sea; beloved; form of Mary453 in the US (2017)
- Mercycompassion or forgiveness370 in the US (2017)
Sounds like Merle
Names that are said the same way as Merle, however they are written. Sounding alike does not mean they share a history.
Names about as common as Merle
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