Myrlen
A feminine name potentially of French origin, possibly derived from the Latin "myrtus" meaning myrtle.
Name Census estimates that about 1 living Americans carry the first name Myrlen. The name is used almost exclusively for boys. The average person named Myrlen today is around 72 years old, and the year with the single highest number of Myrlen births was 1932 (6 babies).
This page is the full Name Census profile for Myrlen. 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 Myrlen is about 72 years old today, placing it firmly among the names of earlier generations. Most living Myrlens were born before 1964.
- • Fewer than 100 living Americans are believed to carry the name Myrlen. It is among the rarest names in the SSA records.
People living today
1
~ 1 in 342,754,338 Americans
Peak year
1932
6 babies that year
Average age
72
years old
1932 SSA rank
#3,648
Tracked since 1932
Popularity
Myrlen: popularity over time
Babies born per year
Decades
Myrlen 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 Myrlen during that decade, along with a combined total. This is useful for spotting eras where the name surged or retreated.
| Decade | Male | Female | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1930s | 6 | 0 | 6 |
Origin
Meaning and history of Myrlen
The given name Myrlen is a relatively uncommon one, with its origins shrouded in mystery. It is believed to have originated from the Old English or Anglo-Saxon language, with roots that can be traced back to the 5th or 6th century AD. The name itself is thought to be derived from the combination of two ancient words: "myrige" meaning "pleasant or delightful," and "lene" meaning "meadow or pasture."
While there is no definitive evidence of Myrlen being mentioned in ancient texts or religious scriptures, it is possible that the name was used in some localized communities or regions during the Anglo-Saxon period. The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the late medieval era, around the 13th or 14th century.
One of the earliest known individuals bearing the name Myrlen was a minor nobleman from the region of Wessex, in southern England, who lived during the 13th century. Another notable figure was Myrlen the Scribe, a monk who lived in a monastery in the north of England during the late 14th century and was renowned for his exquisite calligraphy.
Moving forward in time, a notable figure named Myrlen was a merchant and trader from the city of Bristol, England, who lived during the 16th century and was involved in the flourishing spice trade with the East Indies. In the late 17th century, there was a Myrlen who was a skilled artisan and woodcarver, known for his intricate works that adorned churches and noble households in the English countryside.
One of the most prominent individuals with the name Myrlen was a British explorer and naturalist who lived in the late 18th century. Myrlen Archibald Smythe (1745-1812) was renowned for his expeditions to the South Pacific and his detailed accounts of the flora and fauna encountered during his travels. His journals and illustrations were highly influential in the field of natural history during that era.
While the name Myrlen may not be as widely known or popular as some other given names, it carries a sense of history and heritage, reflecting its roots in the ancient Anglo-Saxon language and culture. The individuals mentioned above serve as a testament to the diverse backgrounds and accomplishments of those who have borne this unique name throughout the centuries.
People
Myrlen + last name combinations
How many people share a full name with Myrlen 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
Myrlen: questions and answers
How many people in the U.S. are named Myrlen?
Name Census puts the figure at roughly 1 living Americans. We arrive at this by taking every SSA birth registration for Myrlen 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 342,754,338 US residents.
Is Myrlen a common name?
We classify Myrlen as "Very Rare". It ranks above 3.8% of all first names in the SSA dataset by living bearers. Across the full history of the data, 6 babies have been registered with this name.
When was Myrlen most popular?
The single biggest year for Myrlen was 1932, when 6 babies received the name. The fact that the average living Myrlen is about 72 years old gives you a rough sense of which era contributed the most bearers who are still alive today.
What does the SSA popularity chart show?
The chart tracks births, not the number of people alive with the name today. Each point shows how many babies were given the name Myrlen in that year. That makes it useful for spotting when the name rose, peaked, or faded.
Is Myrlen a male name?
Yes, 100.0% of people registered as Myrlen in the SSA data are male. 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.
Is Myrlen still being used today?
Yes. The SSA still recorded Myrlen in 2024, and the page above shows its latest-year rank where available. A name can be well past its peak and still remain in steady use, especially if it built up a large population over earlier decades.
Why can a name have a lot of living bearers even if it is not trendy now?
Because living-bearer counts and current baby-name popularity measure different things. A name like Myrlen can build up a very large population over many decades, even if fewer parents are choosing it now than they did at its peak.
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.
Does every first name have Census demographic data?
No. The public Census first-name release only covers names that met the Bureau's publication rules, so many rarer names in the SSA files do not have a published Census demographic snapshot. In those cases, the page still shows the SSA trend, gender history, and state data.
How many Americans are named Myrlen?
Our sister site HowManyOfMe.org answers how many Americans are named Myrlen at a glance, with the living-bearer count up front.