Merlin
How to say it: MUR-lin · /ˈmɜrlɪn/
From Welsh Myrddin, legendary wizard name - associated with Arthurian legend and the merlin falcon.
Merlin was the 1,845th most popular boys’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 73 babies of either sex (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1920s, its births are up about 50% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #1,731 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among boys’ names, 2025 | #1,845 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 (both sexes) | 73 |
| Share of births | 1 in 45,415 |
| Peak decade | 1920s |
| Change over 10 years | +50% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #1,731 |
| In France, 2025 | #631 among boys’ names, 55 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Merlin peaked in the 1920s.
What goes with it
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Merlin is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French, German, Welsh.
In France: #631 for boys in 2025.
Famous people named Merlin
- Merlin Hummel (born 2002)German hammer thrower
- Merlin Olsen (1940–2010)American football player and actor
- Merlin Holland (born 1945)British writer
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Merlin is the archetypal wizard of Arthurian legend, counsellor to King Arthur.
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