The story behind Merle
English 19th-century bird name from merle (“blackbird”), possibly also a variant of Muriel, Merrill, etc.
Other language forms and explanations (1)
German entry
Borrowed from English Merle with a spelling pronunciation (likely reinforced by etymology 1 above).
Pronunciation
US English (ARPAbet): M ER1 L
Regional pronunciation variants
- German: /ˈmɛrlə/
- German: [ˈmɛʁ.lə]
- German: [ˈmɛɐ̯.lə]
This is a US English dictionary reading of the spelling; personal pronunciations may differ. Digits mark stress: 0 is unstressed, 1 is primary, 2 is secondary. Pronunciation source and notation.
Popularity
Merle ranked #16474 in US for 2025.
Source: SSA national baby names
Names Similar to Merle
Mae
Borrowed from English Mae.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- same syllable count
- similar length
Mele
Borrowed from English Mary. Identical with the Hawaiian word mele (“chant, song”).
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- same syllable count
- similar length
Mike
Borrowed from English Mike.
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- same syllable count
- similar length
Myrtle
After the plant, myrtle; used since the end of the 19th century.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends E
- same syllable count
- similar length
Ane
From English Anne and French Anne. Doublet of Ana and Hanna.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- same syllable count
- similar length
Annie
From English Annie.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 1 syllable
- Ending
- ends E
- same syllable count
- similar length
Middle Names for Merle
Abby
Borrowed from English Abby in the 20th century. Borrowed from English Abby.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Agatha
Borrowed from Latin Agatha, from Ancient Greek Ἀγαθή (Agathḗ), from Ancient Greek ἀγαθός (agathós, “good”). Ultimately from Ancient Greek Ἀγαθή (Agathḗ), feminine of ἀγαθός…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends A
- balanced syllable contrast
- good length contrast
Sibling Names for Merle
Aaron
From Latin Aaron, from Ancient Greek Ἀαρών (Aarṓn), from Hebrew אַהֲרֹן (ʾAhărōn), of unknown meaning, possibly meaning “bearer of martyrs”, or perhaps also, or instead,…
- Gender
- masculine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends N
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abby
Borrowed from English Abby in the 20th century. Borrowed from English Abby.
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 2 syllables
- Ending
- ends Y
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length
Abigail
From Hebrew אֲבִיגַיִל (avigáyil, “Abigail”, literally “my Father's joy” or “fountain of joy”). a female given name from Hebrew, equivalent to English Abigail Borrowed from…
- Gender
- feminine
- Syllables
- 3 syllables
- Ending
- ends L
- shared origin connection
- balanced name length