Merlin
Boy name · #2336 in 2025 · Very rare
How old is the name Merlin? In official American birth records, Merlin has been tracked continuously since 1885, giving it 140 years of documented American history.
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. Source: Official national birth records.
Unlock the 5-year forecast and compare Merlin against up to 5 other names.
Uniqueness: will there be another Merlin in class?
On our rarity read — which blends how common Merlin is today with its five-year momentum — the name reads as "very rare". 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
State-level data for Merlin is too sparse in 2025 to rank by rate — in most states its count falls below the SSA's per-state reporting threshold (counts under 5 are withheld).
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
How old is the name Merlin?
In official American birth records, the name Merlin first appeared in 1885 (over 140 years ago), when 6 newborn boys received the name. It has over a century of continuous American history.
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. On our rarity scale (rarity blended with momentum) we classify it as "very rare".
Data source: Official American birth records, 1880–2025, national and state files. Counts reflect registered birth records for American families.