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

Popularity of Merlin by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Merlin is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 81% of people named Merlin being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 61 male babies and 13 female babies born with the name Merlin.

The history of the first name Merlin

The name Merlin is believed to have originated from the Welsh language and culture, with its roots tracing back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Welsh name "Myrddin," which itself may have come from the Brittonic word "mori-dunon," meaning "sea fortress."

Merlin is most famously associated with the legendary wizard of the same name who appears in the Arthurian legends, particularly in Geoffrey of Monmouth's "Historia Regum Britanniae" (History of the Kings of Britain), written in the 12th century. This work popularized the character of Merlin as a powerful sorcerer and advisor to King Arthur.

One of the earliest recorded individuals named Merlin was a 6th-century poet and prophet from the region of present-day Scotland, known as Myrddin Wyllt (Merlin the Wild). His life and prophecies were recorded in various medieval Welsh texts, such as the "Black Book of Carmarthen" and the "Book of Taliesin."

Another notable figure was Merlin Silvester, a 12th-century writer and interpreter who translated various works from Arabic into Latin, including texts on astrology and alchemy. He was active during the reign of King Henry II of England.

In the 15th century, Merlin Coccaie, an Italian poet and scholar, gained recognition for his satirical work "Opus Macaronicum," written in a mixture of Latin and Italian dialects.

During the Tudor period in England, Merlin was a relatively popular name, with several individuals bearing it, such as Merlin Tyndale, a 16th-century Protestant reformer and translator of the Bible into English.

In more recent times, Merlin Olsen (1940-2010) was a famous American football player and actor, best known for his role in the TV series "Little House on the Prairie."

Throughout history, the name Merlin has been associated with wisdom, magic, and the legendary figure from Arthurian literature, making it a captivating choice for many parents seeking a name with a rich cultural 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 Merlin was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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