How Many People Are Named Merlin?
Complete statistics for the name Merlin: rarity score, gender breakdown, age distribution, historical popularity, worldwide data, meaning and origin.
Merlin means 'strong in council' and is a very rare male name, with only 1 in 53,046 Americans bearing it. That's just 6,221 people in the US today, making it truly unique. Interestingly, most Merlins are over 60, giving the name a decidedly older-generation feel.
📖 Meaning & Origin
Life-path number 8 symbolizes power, authority, and success.
🌍 Worldwide Usage
⚥ Gender Distribution
📊 Births by Age Group
Avg Cohort Age: 79All 15,891 recorded US births for this name, grouped by the age those individuals would be today. Not adjusted for survival, so the number living today is lower (see the living estimate above).
📈 Popularity Over Time
Peak: 1927Annual US births from SSA records · Trend: Rising
🏆 Name Scorecard
Scores 0–100 based on statistical analysis of US and worldwide name frequency
📜 Merlin Through the Generations
Merlin has been a name steeped in tradition since its peak in 1927 when 405 babies were given this moniker. Today, the name's popularity is rising, but it still retains an old-school charm. The majority of those named Merlin are now over 60, with 1,674 under-30 and 1,654 aged 30-60, indicating a strong generational skew towards the older population.
📍 State Distribution (Top 10)
⭐ Famous People Named Merlin
Merlin is a masculine given name. Notable people with the name include:…
Full list on Wikipedia →🌿 Related Names by Origin
Other names sharing Merlin's Welsh roots
📄 About the Name Merlin
How Many People Have the Name Merlin?
Based on Social Security Administration birth records and age-adjusted survival modeling, approximately 1,337 people in the United States currently share the name Merlin. That works out to roughly 1 in every 247,905 Americans, placing it in the Very Rare category.
Is Merlin a Common or Rare Name?
Merlin is classified as Very Rare. The rarity scale runs from Very Common (shared by millions) through Common, Uncommon, Rare, and Very Rare. Understanding where a name sits helps parents gauge uniqueness, genealogists narrow down records, and individuals settle debates about their own name's distinctiveness.
What Does the Name Merlin Mean?
Merlin means "strong in council" and comes from Welsh origins. The name carries a life-path numerology number of 8.
Gender Breakdown
Of all recorded bearers of Merlin in SSA data, approximately 90% are male and 10% are female.
When Was Merlin Most Popular?
The name Merlin reached peak popularity in 1927, with 405 babies registered that year. Current trend: Rising.
How Is This Data Calculated?
All figures are statistical estimates, not exact government headcounts. The underlying data comes from the SSA National Baby Names dataset. Full methodology is explained on the methodology page.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How many people are named Merlin?
Approximately 1,337 people named Merlin live in the United States today. All-time US births on record total 1,337. That works out to roughly 1 in 247,905 Americans.
Is Merlin a rare name?
Merlin is classified as Very Rare in the United States. Approximately 1 in every 247,905 Americans has this name.
What does the name Merlin mean?
Merlin means "strong in council" and comes from Welsh origins.
Is Merlin more male or female?
Based on SSA records, 90% of people named Merlin are male and 10% are female.
When was Merlin most popular?
Merlin peaked in 1927 with 405 births that year. Current trend: Rising.
How accurate are these statistics?
All figures are statistical estimates based on SSA birth records and age-adjusted modeling. See the methodology page for full details.