Name Merle
Merle is a masculine name with French origins. It is considered a ubiquitous name that has experienced moderate growth in popularity recently.
Meaning of the name Merle
Origins and Core Meaning
The name Merle, originating from French roots, holds a rich meaning. It signifies "a blackbird" or "a merle", a species of blackbird known for its distinctive song. Merle is often associated with qualities such as beauty, vitality, and joy, reflecting the captivating nature of this bird.
Detailed Insights on Merle
Origins
French, derived from the word "merle", meaning "a blackbird".
Symbolic Representation
Merle is a name imbued with symbolism. The blackbird, with its sleek black plumage and captivating song, represents mystery, wisdom, and transformation. It is also associated with the concept of rebirth and renewal, as blackbirds are often seen as harbingers of spring and new beginnings.
Personality Traits
The name Merle evokes a sense of warmth, cheerfulness, and optimism. It embodies the vibrant spirit of its avian namesake, inspiring feelings of happiness and contentment. The name's melodic sound adds to its charming and uplifting nature.
Key Personality Traits
Personal Meanings of the Name Merle
Merle Overview & Analysis
Gender statistics
Merle is more commonly a boy's name with a moderate masculine identity. Among 36,239 people named Merle, 25,321 are male and 10,918 are female resulting in a 69.9% male and 30.1% female. This significant gender imbalance reflects a notable masculine association with the name Merle.
Data Explanation
This data is sourced from actual birth records, ensuring that the statistics provided are accurate reflections of real naming trends. The percentage has been rounded up for easier readability, but the underlying figures are grounded in factual data, not estimates. This ensures that the information is both reliable and user-friendly, giving a clear and truthful picture of the name Merle's gender association.
Popularity
Merle classified as an ubiquitous name and ranks 1,289 in the Namedary database. It has experienced moderate growth over the years, and experienced moderate growth recently. The chance of meeting someone named Merle is nearly 0.01%, or about one in 9,000+ people.
Based on the latest data from 2017 (7), 2018 (6), 2021 (5), Merle's year-to-year percentage change in popularity is 150.00%. The name Merle was most popular in 1921, making up 0.06% of baby names (or about one in 1,000+ babies), and reached its lowest point in 1994 with a usage rate of 0.0002%.
Country-Specific Prevalence
| Flag | Country | Rank | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand | 847 | 0.02% | |
| United States | 1,220 | 0.01% | |
| Australia | 3,282 | 0% | |
| Canada | 5,049 | 0.001% | |
| United Kingdom | 8,928 | 0% |
People named Merle are predominantly found in New Zealand (NZ), where it constitutes 0.02% of the total population.
Data Source
The data in this section was gathered from a variety of sources, including:
- United States: Social Security Administration (https://www.ssa.gov/)
- Canada: Government of Ontario (https://data.ontario.ca/). Alberta’s top baby names (https://www.alberta.ca/). B.C.'s Most Popular Baby Names (https://www2.gov.bc.ca/)
- United Kingdom: Office for National Statistics (https://www.ons.gov.uk/)
- Australia: Government of South Australia (https://data.sa.gov.au/). Government of New South Wales (https://www.nsw.gov.au/). Northern Territory Government (https://nt.gov.au/)
- New Zealand: New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs (https://www.data.govt.nz/)
- Supplemental Sources: To enrich our data-driven approach, we supplement our primary sources with information from credible websites, academic publications, and expert opinions. This ensures that we provide a well-rounded perspective on baby names.
To enhance readability, percentages are rounded up. Values less than 0.0015% have been omitted.
Additional Information on Merle
Pronunciation and Phonetics
- Name
- Merle
- Pronunciation
- murl
- m-ER-l-eh
- mer-le
- IPA Notation
- mɚˈl
- Syllable
- Stressed:merle
- Syllable Count:1 Syllable
Chinese Translation of the Name Merle
- Translation
- 梅尔
- Pronunce
- (PinYin) : méi ěr
- Feng Shui
- 梅Wood尔Fire
Merle in Numerology
| M | E | R | L | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 5 | |||
| 4 | 9 | 3 |
Applying the rules of numerology (Pythagorean numerology):
Merle's Soul Number (Heart's Desire Number): Number 1
- You yearn to become an independent individual, embrace your uniqueness, and think outside the box.
- You are motivated by taking responsibility and initiating projects, standing your ground in competition.
- You dislike being told what to do and have no intention of following the crowd or seeking conquest, victory, or glory.
Merle's Expression Number (Personality Number): Number 7
- You pursue self-fulfillment by doing your own thing and learning in your own way.
- You experience immense joy and satisfaction when you achieve something and discover it yourself, rather than relying on others.
Merle's Destiny Number (Life Path Number): Number 8
- You demonstrate great drive, determination, leadership ability, responsibility, and strength. You are organized, successful, and have a strong presence.
- You are capable of winning any competition and possess the courage to take risks.
Famous People Named Merle
- Merle Haggard: American country music singer-songwriter known for his iconic songs such as "Okie from Muskogee" and "Mama Tried."
- Merle Oberon: British actress who starred in numerous classic films, including "Wuthering Heights" and "The Scarlet Pimpernel."
- Merle Dandridge: American actress and singer best known for her roles in Broadway musicals such as "Once on This Island" and "Hamilton."
User-Submitted Information about Merle
Chrisr138
Also Danish: https://www.nordicnames.de/wiki/Merle_f
Also Dutch: https://www.meertens.knaw.nl/nvb/naam/is/Merle
Also German:
https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merle_(Name)
https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/Merle#German
https://www.beliebte-vornamen.de/5223-merle.htmGd5jc6g_nbd4
My grandfather was named Kirby MERLE Ramsey (b.1888). He used Kirby for personal situations & MERLE in business matters.
My father was named Kirby MERLE Ramsey Jr (b.1921). I never knew of a time when he even spoke the name. He was always Kirby.
MY name is Kirby MERLE Ramsey III (b.1949). Growing up I was called Kim. I don't where that came from. As I entered the "Working World" I went by Kirby. Now that I am retired & in a small town that is new to me I am going by the name MERLE.
Our daughter had a baby girl in 2016. Guess what? That's right! She named her daughter Kirby. Go figure!
In 16 days the name Kirby MERLE Ramsey will be 133 years + 3 months old.
I just hope MERLE is going to be around at least another 80 years.Str_zhaar
The name Merle was given to 19 boys born in the US in 2015.
Conclusion
The name Merle carries a wealth of meaning, emotion, and symbolism. Its association with the enchanting blackbird and its positive connotations make it a fitting choice for individuals who embody charm, beauty, and a joyful spirit. The name's rich heritage and timeless appeal ensure its enduring popularity.
Shycerold1
I do not think that Merle is a form of Merrill or Muriel. I think it is instead transferred from the French surname Merle, which did mean "blackbird" and may have been a nickname in medieval France for someone who often whistled, or for some other characteristic attributed to blackbirds. According to Hanks & Hodges, at different times and places in medieval Europe blackbirds were thought to be either foolish, or the opposite, very shrewd. The first examples of the use of Merle as a given name in the United States are found in the 1850 census in New Orleans, a city where many residents had French ancestry, reinforcing the idea that it's from the French surname. Merle was almost never a girls’ name before 1880. That year, Henry James published his most popular novel, “The Portrait of a Lady.” One of its main characters was Madame Merle, the American-born widow of a Frenchman. Though her first name is Serena, that’s mentioned only once in 767 pages. In any event, its use as a girl's given name is probably from this novel and so is also from the French surname. [noted -ed]
Mageowner747
I like the spelling Mearl for girls.
Wardnero10
I like it as a nickname for Muriel.