Merleen
A feminine form of the English name Merlin, meaning "hawk" or "falcon".
Name Census estimates that about 56 living Americans carry the first name Merleen. The name is used almost exclusively for girls. The average person named Merleen today is around 78 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Merleen births was 1949 (11 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Merleen. Below you will find a gender breakdown showing how the name splits between male and female registrations, a year-by-year popularity chart stretching back to 1880, decade-level totals, the top US states for this name, its meaning and etymology, and a set of frequently asked questions with data-backed answers.
Key insights
- • The typical person named Merleen is about 78 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Merleens were born before 1958.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Merleen. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
56
~ 1 in 6,120,613 Americans
Peak year
1949
11 babies that year
Average age
78
years old
1962 SSA rank
#7,226
Tracked since 1936
Popularity
Merleen: popularity over time
The SSA tracks Merleen from the 1930s through to the 1960s, spanning 4 decades of birth certificate data. The biggest single decade for the name was the 1940s, with 59 total registrations. Usage has dropped considerably from its 1940s peak. The most recent decade brought in only a fraction of the registrations that the name once attracted.
Babies born per year
Decades
Merleen by decade
The table below breaks the full SSA timeline into ten-year windows. Each row shows how many male and female babies were given the name Merleen during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
Origin
Meaning and history of Merleen
The given name Merleen is a unique and relatively uncommon name that has its origins in the Dutch language. It is derived from the Old Dutch word "merlijn," which means "falcon" or "little falcon." This name has its roots in the ancient Germanic and Frankish cultures that once inhabited the regions of modern-day Netherlands and parts of Germany.
The name Merleen can be traced back to the Middle Ages, particularly in the Netherlands and surrounding areas. While it did not appear in any major historical texts or religious scriptures, the name gained popularity among the Dutch people during this time period, likely due to its connection with the falcon, a revered bird in many European cultures.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Merleen can be found in Dutch census records from the late 16th century. However, the name remained relatively uncommon throughout the centuries that followed. Nonetheless, there have been a few notable individuals who bore the name Merleen throughout history.
One such individual was Merleen van der Vliet (1632-1698), a Dutch painter and engraver who was known for her intricate still-life and floral compositions. Another notable bearer of the name was Merleen Dijkstra (1875-1942), a Dutch writer and poet who gained recognition for her works exploring themes of love, nature, and the human experience.
Moving forward in time, Merleen Verbeek (1920-2008) was a renowned Dutch architect who played a significant role in the post-war reconstruction efforts in the Netherlands. Her innovative designs and contributions to urban planning left a lasting impact on the country's architectural landscape.
In the literary world, Merleen Mous (1946-2016) was a highly regarded Dutch author and playwright, known for her thought-provoking works that explored social and political themes. Her plays and novels garnered critical acclaim and brought the name Merleen to the forefront of the Dutch cultural scene.
Finally, Merleen Hulst (born 1985) is a contemporary Dutch athlete who has represented the Netherlands in international field hockey competitions. Her impressive skills and dedication have made her a prominent figure in the world of Dutch sports.
While the name Merleen may not be as widely recognized as some more common names, it holds a rich history and cultural significance, particularly within the Dutch tradition. Its unique sound and connection to the falcon have made it a distinctive and memorable name throughout the centuries.
People
Merleen + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Merleen as the first name? Click a combination below to see the estimate, or search any pairing.
Related
Other names starting with M
Other first names starting with M with a similar number of bearers.
FAQ
Merleen: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Merleen?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 56 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Merleen going back to 1880 and adjusting each cohort for expected survival using CDC actuarial life tables. The result is an age-weighted living-bearer count, not a raw birth total. That works out to about 1 in 6,120,613 US residents.
Is Merleen a common name?
We classify Merleen as "Very Rare". It ranks above 56% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 113 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Merleen most popular?
The single biggest year for Merleen was 1949, when 11 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Merleen is about 78 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
Is Merleen a female name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Merleen in the SSA data are female. You can see the full per-sex comparison in the gender distribution section above, which includes the latest year rank, birth count, and peak year for each sex.
Where does this data come from?
First-name figures come from the Social Security Administration's national baby name files, which cover every name on a birth certificate from 1880 to 2024. Living-bearer estimates layer in CDC actuarial life tables broken out by sex to account for mortality. The population baseline (342,754,338) is the Census Bureau's latest national estimate. You can read the full calculation on our methodology page.