Merline Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Merline has its origins in French and Celtic roots, derived from the legendary figure Merlin. It means 'sea fortress' and has evolved through various forms. Although not widely common today, it carries traits of mystique and wisdom. The name does not have biblical relevance but gained popularity in the 19th century, linked to Arthurian legends.
The name Merline is most popular in Louisiana, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Silent Generation generation in the South region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Merline has been stalled for female in South. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for female in South. Across generations, 'Merline' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 2195th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1604th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 3504th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 14367th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 11496th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 20556th out of 35406 names. Discover how the name 'Merline' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Merline"
Pronunciation
/ˈmɜːrlaɪn/
Origin
French, Celtic
Etymology
The name Merline is believed to be derived from the French name 'Merlin,' which has roots in the Celtic word 'merle,' meaning 'blackbird.' It is often associated with the legendary wizard Merlin from Arthurian legend.
Meaning
sea fortress
Language Evolution
Merlin, Merline
Historical Usage
The name gained popularity in the 19th century, particularly due to the romanticized tales surrounding the character of Merlin in literature and folklore.
Variants & Derivatives
Merlin, Myrlin, Marlene
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Merline is perceived as a unique and somewhat mystical name, often associated with wisdom and magic due to its connections to the legendary wizard.
Famous People
Merline P. G. D. Laing, Merline E. J. C. Le Roux
Explore More Merline Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Merline"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Merline"
"Merline" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 2195th of 9107 | 279 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 1604th of 9204 | 450 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3504th of 12526 | 223 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 14367th of 19264 | 16 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 11496th of 27321 | 74 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 20556th of 35406 | 37 |
Regional Popularity of "Merline" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Merline" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
53.76% 1272nd/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
45.64% 1074th/2353 |
- |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - |
73.50% 2097th/2853 |
- |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - |
63.21% 3283rd/5194 |
- |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
100.00% 7313th/7313 |
- |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Merline"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Merline" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.