Merlin
Boy name · #2336 in 2025 · Uniqueness 69/100
In 2025, 59 baby boys were named Merlin, placing it at #2336 in the official national rankings. A decade ago it stood at #3231, so the name has been rising over the past ten years. Roughly one in every 30,508 boys born in 2025 was named Merlin.
The 140-year story
Merlin first appears in the Social Security records in 1885, when 6 boys received the name. Its peak came in 1927, when 389 boys were named Merlin — good for #287 that year. Today's parents encounter it as a name from their grandparents’ generation, which is precisely the vintage window from which names get revived. Following the curve matters more than today's snapshot: a name's position on its rise-peak-decline arc is the best predictor of how common it will feel in a kindergarten class five years from now.
Babies named Merlin per year, 1880–2025. Source: SSA.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Merlin against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Merlin in class?
Merlin scores 69 out of 100 on our uniqueness scale, which blends current rarity with five-year momentum — putting it in the "rare" band. A high score means genuine rarity — your Merlin will likely be the only one in the room, with the occasional spelling-out as the price.
Where Merlin is most common
Geography matters for names, and Merlin is no exception. In 2025 the states with the most Merlins were IN (7), TN (6), TX (6). Raw counts naturally favor populous states, but the spread still hints at where the name is part of the local naming culture.
Names like Merlin
Statistically, parents drawn to Merlin tend to be choosing among names with similar popularity arcs, era profiles, and sounds — the closest matches in our model are Marlin, Mervin, Arlin, Olin, and Elvin.
MarlinMervinArlinOlinElvinMarionMelvinMahlon
Rank history (last 25 years)
| Year | Babies named Merlin | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 59 | #2332 |
| 2024 | 73 | #2057 |
| 2023 | 62 | #2277 |
| 2022 | 49 | #2675 |
| 2021 | 70 | #2079 |
| 2020 | 52 | #2467 |
| 2019 | 53 | #2491 |
| 2018 | 57 | #2325 |
| 2017 | 54 | #2388 |
| 2016 | 40 | #2935 |
| 2015 | 35 | #3231 |
| 2014 | 34 | #3234 |
| 2013 | 37 | #2998 |
| 2012 | 39 | #2954 |
| 2011 | 31 | #3434 |
| 2010 | 24 | #4099 |
| 2009 | 40 | #2946 |
| 2008 | 40 | #2946 |
| 2007 | 43 | #2765 |
| 2006 | 49 | #2477 |
| 2005 | 37 | #2846 |
| 2004 | 46 | #2419 |
| 2003 | 44 | #2392 |
| 2002 | 43 | #2372 |
| 2001 | 54 | #1982 |
Frequently asked questions
Is Merlin a popular boy name?
Merlin ranked #2336 among boys in 2025 with 59 babies given the name — outside the top 500, making it an uncommon pick. Ten years earlier it ranked #3231.
When was the name Merlin most popular?
Merlin peaked in 1927, when 389 American boys received the name (ranked #287 that year). Since 1927 the name has declined from that high.
How rare is the name Merlin?
In 2025, roughly 1 in 30,508 newborn American boys was named Merlin. It scores 69/100 on our uniqueness scale (rarity blended with momentum), which we classify as "rare".
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration name statistics, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect Social Security card applications; names with fewer than 5 occurrences in a state-year are suppressed by the SSA.