Merle
3 countries#3450 in United States, 2025Popularity across 3 countries
Each line is scaled to its own peak, so you can compare when Merle was in fashion in each country, whatever the population size.
Country by country
🇺🇸 United States
45,389 births recorded 1880–2025 · currently #3450 · peaked in 1921 with 1,275 births
Most common in: Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio, Kansas
Source: Social Security Administration, official birth-registration data
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
56 births recorded 1981–2015 · peaked in 2002 with 7 births (England & Wales + Scotland + Northern Ireland combined)
Source: ONS, National Records of Scotland & NISRA (combined), official birth-registration data
🏴🏴 England & Wales
53 births recorded 1996–2015 · peaked in 2002 with 7 births
Source: Office for National Statistics, official birth-registration data
🏴 Scotland
3 births recorded 1981–1981 · peaked in 1981 with 3 births
Source: National Records of Scotland, official birth-registration data
United States rank history
Merle’s rank among boys’ names, most recent 20 years on record.
| Year | Rank | vs. prior yr |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | #3782 | — |
| 2007 | #5210 | ↓1428 |
| 2008 | #4901 | ↑309 |
| 2009 | #4429 | ↑472 |
| 2010 | #4366 | ↑63 |
| 2011 | #4983 | ↓617 |
| 2012 | #8158 | ↓3175 |
| 2013 | #5404 | ↑2754 |
| 2014 | #5733 | ↓329 |
| 2015 | #4545 | ↑1188 |
| 2016 | #6053 | ↓1508 |
| 2017 | #4746 | ↑1307 |
| 2018 | #4354 | ↑392 |
| 2019 | #4480 | ↓126 |
| 2020 | #3344 | ↑1136 |
| 2021 | #4494 | ↓1150 |
| 2022 | #3995 | ↑499 |
| 2023 | #3055 | ↑940 |
| 2024 | #4571 | ↓1516 |
| 2025 | #3450 | ↑1121 |
Frequently asked questions about Merle
Is Merle a popular name?
Yes — Merle currently ranks #3450 among boys’ names in United States as of 2025, based on official birth records.
Is Merle more common for boys or girls?
Merle is recorded predominantly as a boys’ name in official United States birth data.
When was Merle most popular?
Merle peaked in 1921 in United States, with 1,275 recorded births that year.
Is Merle rising or falling in popularity?
In United States, Merle’s popularity is falling — its rank has slipped from #425 in 1880 to #3450 in 2025.
How many babies have been named Merle?
At least 45,445 babies have been recorded with the name Merle across official birth statistics in 3 countries.
Is Merle popular in more than one country?
Yes — Merle appears in official birth records in 3 countries: United States, England & Wales, Scotland.
What names are similar in popularity to Merle?
Based on real 2025 ranking data in United States, names ranked closest to Merle include Luc, Nahom, Naksh.
Similar names right now
Ranked directly next to Merle in United States, 2025 — a real popularity match, not a subjective list.