Merle first name popularity, history and meaning

Find out how popular the first name Merle has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Meaning of Merle

Small blackbird or falcon; feminine diminutive of French Marie, meaning "bitter".

Popularity of Merle by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Merle is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 93% of people named Merle being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 38 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Merle.

Year Male Count Female Count
2023 38 0
2022 26 0
2021 22 0
2020 32 0
2019 22 0
2018 23 0
2017 20 0
2016 14 0
2015 21 0
2014 15 0
2013 16 0
2012 9 0
2011 18 0
2010 22 0
2009 22 0
2008 19 0
2007 17 0
2006 26 0
2005 18 0
2004 21 5
2003 22 5
2002 13 0
2001 30 0
2000 25 0
1999 23 0
1998 20 0
1997 28 0
1996 28 0
1995 35 6
1994 26 0
1993 34 6
1992 33 6
1991 32 5
1990 33 0
1989 28 13
1988 48 0
1987 43 6
1986 35 6
1985 49 0
1984 51 6
1983 65 0
1982 57 8
1981 67 13
1980 59 5
1979 80 7
1978 60 11
1977 80 0
1976 65 5
1975 73 8
1974 79 9

The history of the first name Merle

The name Merle has its origins in the Old French language, stemming from the word "merle," which means "blackbird." The name's earliest roots can be traced back to the medieval period in France, where it was likely used as a nickname or a descriptive name for someone with dark hair or a dark complexion, resembling the plumage of a blackbird.

While the name's precise origins are uncertain, it gained popularity across various regions of Europe during the Middle Ages. In some instances, the name Merle was also derived from the Old English word "mere," meaning "lake" or "pool," suggesting a connection to natural bodies of water.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Merle can be found in the 12th century French epic poem, "The Song of Roland." In this literary work, Merle appears as the name of a character, although it is unclear whether it was used as a first name or a surname.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Merle. One of the most famous was Merle Oberon (1911-1979), a British actress known for her roles in films such as "The Cowboy and the Lady" and "Wuthering Heights." Another prominent figure was Merle Haggard (1937-2016), an American country music singer and songwriter renowned for hits like "Okie from Muskogee" and "Mama Tried."

In the realm of literature, Merle Miller (1919-1986) was an American biographer and journalist who wrote acclaimed biographies of figures like Harry S. Truman and Lyndon B. Johnson. Merle Curti (1897-1996), an American historian and educator, was renowned for his contributions to the study of intellectual history and the history of Wisconsin.

Merle Norman (1888-1972) was an American businesswoman and entrepreneur who founded the cosmetics company bearing her name, which became a successful chain of stores across the United States.

While the name Merle has maintained a presence throughout history, its popularity has waxed and waned over time. Nevertheless, its unique and distinctive quality has ensured its enduring appeal, making it a name with a rich cultural and linguistic heritage.

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 Merle was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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"Merle first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on October 31, 2024. http://namecensus.com/first-names/merle-meaning-and-history/.

"Merle first name popularity, history and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/first-names/merle-meaning-and-history/. Accessed 31 October, 2024

Merle first name popularity, history and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/first-names/merle-meaning-and-history/.

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