Merlin

Meaning: Sea hill
Origin: Welsh — From Myrddin, the wizard of Arthurian legend

Boy's name · #2343 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Popularity over time

Few names move less than Merlin — on the books since 1885, #2343 in 2025, and dependable in between. Roughly 15,000 boys have carried the name since.

Across the states

See where Merlin is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 5 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Merlin ranks in other countries and regions.

#377 in Switzerland (2025) · #578 in Austria (2025) · #660 in Belgium (2025) · #744 in France (2025) · #1,798 in England & Wales (2025) · #1,907 in Ecuador (2025) · #2,159 in Sweden (2024) · #1,947 in Canada (2023) · #18,411 in Italy (2022).

Famous Merlins

Merlin Olsen — American football player, announcer, and actor (1940–2010)
Merlin Santana — American actor (1976–2002)
Merlin Holland — British writer (born 1945)
Merlin Röhl — German footballer (born 2002)
Merlin Sheldrake — British biologist and author (born 1987)

In stories & tradition

Merlin — The Hollow Hills (book)
Merlin of Amber — The protagonist of the latter five novels of Roger Zelazny's Chronicles of Amber
Merlin the Magic Mouse — Looney Tunes (film series)

What Merlins become

Among 127 notable people named Merlin:

No single standout — notable Merlins spread across many fields.

Similar names: Marlin · Carmen · Mervin · Chet · Ervin · Orrin

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service