Find out how popular the first name Merl has been for the last 13 years (from 1974 to 1986) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Merl by gender

Based on the last 13 years of data, Merl is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 1986, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Merl.

The history of the first name Merl

The name Merl originates from the Old English language and can be traced back to the Anglo-Saxon period in Britain, around the 5th to 11th centuries AD. It is derived from the Old English word "mere," which means a lake or a pool of water. The name was likely given to individuals who lived near or by a body of water.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Merl can be found in the Domesday Book, a historical record compiled in 1086 AD by order of William the Conqueror. In this record, a landowner named Merl is mentioned as holding lands in the county of Berkshire, England.

Throughout history, there have been several notable individuals who bore the name Merl. One of the most famous was Merl Saunders (1934-2008), an American musician and multi-instrumentalist who was a member of the band The Grateful Dead. He was renowned for his innovative keyboard playing and was a pioneer of the electrified sound in rock music.

Another individual of note was Merl Reagle (1950-2015), an American constructor of crossword puzzles and a member of the prestigious National Puzzlers' League. He was widely respected for his creative and challenging puzzles, which appeared in numerous publications, including The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times.

In the field of science, Merl Kilgore (1892-1975) was an American chemist and inventor who made significant contributions to the development of polyethylene plastics. He held numerous patents and played a crucial role in the commercial production of this widely used material.

The name Merl has also been associated with literary figures. Merl Jasper (1926-2018) was an American author and educator who wrote several novels and short stories, many of which explored themes of rural life and the experiences of Native Americans.

While the name Merl may not be as common today as it once was, it has a rich history and has been borne by individuals who have left their mark across various fields, from music and puzzles to science and literature.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Merl was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Merl, please contact us.

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