Merle

Merle is a unisex baby name of French, English, and Irish origin. In English, it is a masculine name that means “pleasant hill”. In Irish, it is a feminine name that means “bright sea”. In French, it is a unisex name that means “blackbird”. It’s a vintage classic name for either gender that was popular from 1900 to the 1970s.

Meaning of the name Merle:

French: blackbird
English: pleasant hill
Irish: bright sea

Origin of the name Merle:

Merle is a unisex baby name of several possible origins. In English, it is a masculine name that means “pleasant hill”. In Irish, it is the Anglicized version of the feminine name Muirgel and means “bright sea”. In French, it is a unisex name that means “blackbird”.

Symbolism of the name Merle:

Merle has many nature-related meanings heavy with symbolism. Blackbirds are symbols of intuition, intelligence, protection, adaptability, and important messages. The sea is a symbol of creativity, inspiration, power, the unknown, and adventure.

Style of the name Merle:

traditional

Gender of the name Merle:

Merle is a unisex baby name.

Pronunciation of the name Merle:

MURL

Number of syllables in the name Merle:

one

Emotion evoked from the name Merle:

Merle evokes feelings of adventure and a love of nature.

Alternative spellings for the name Merle:

Murle, Merrle, Merlle

Nicknames for the name Merle:

• Merry 
• Mer
• Lee 
• Em
• Emi 

Popularity of the name Merle:

According to the Social Security Administration, Merle is a popular unisex baby name. As a boy’s name, Merle was in the top 1000 baby names from 1900 to 1979. It peaked at #170 in 1918. As a girl’s name, Merle was in the top 1000 baby names from 1900 to 1958. It peaked at #295 in 1903.

Related names for the name Merle:

• Muriel
• Merril
• Merry 
• Megan 
• Merrick 
• Mark 
• Marcus 

Great middle names for the name Merle and their meanings:

Boys:

• Remy (oarsman)
• Nico (people of victory)
• Emmett (universal)
• Orion (mythological hunter)
• Rhys (ardor)
• Callum (dove)
• Ellis (benevolent)
• Enzo (estate ruler)

Girls:

• Clementine (mild, merciful)
• Evelyn (desired, water, island)
• Amelia (work)
• Iris (rainbow)
• Elodie (foreign riches)
• Maeve (she who intoxicates)
• Isabella (beautiful)
• Sophia (wisdom)

Famous people with the name Merle:

• Merle Haggard (American country music singer)
• Merle Travis (American country music singer)
• Merle Greene Robertson (American artist and academic
• Merle Dandridge (American actress and singer)
• Merle Curti (American historian and author)

Merle in popular culture:

• Merle Dixon (television, “The Walking Dead”)
• Merle Highchurch (podcasts, “The Adventure Zone”)
• Merle “The Pearl” Stockwell (television, “Eight is Enough”)
• Merle(literature, “The Chosen Place, the Timeless People” by Paule Marshall)
• MerleGardener (literature, “A Song of Ice and Fire” series by George R. R. Martin)