Merlin: Name Meaning, Origin, History, And Popularity
Explore the magic and mystery of Welsh mythology.
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In This Article
- ❯Origin, Meaning, And History Of Merlin
- ❯How To Pronounce Merlin?
- ❯‘Merlin’ In QR Code
- ❯Notable People Named Merlin
- ❯Merlin On The Popularity Chart
- ❯Popularity Over Time
- ❯Rank Over Time
- ❯Popularity Within US States
- ❯Merlin Name's Presence On Social Media
- ❯Merlin’s Mention In Fictional Works
- ❯Names With Similar Sound As Merlin
- ❯Popular Sibling Names For Merlin
- ❯Other Popular Names Beginning With M
- ❯Names With Similar Meaning As Merlin
- ❯Names Rhyming With Merlin
- ❯Anagram Names Of Merlin
- ❯Popular Songs On The Name Merlin
- ❯Acrostic Poem On Merlin
- ❯Adorable Nicknames For Merlin
- ❯Merlin’s Zodiac Sign As Per Western Astrology
- ❯Merlin’s Zodiac Sign And Birth Star As Per Vedic Astrology
- ❯Merlin Personality Traits As Per Numerology
- ❯Infographic: Know The Name Merlin's Personality As Per Numerology
- ❯Merlin In Different Languages
- ❯Merlin In Fancy Fonts
- ❯Adorable ‘Merlin’ Wallpapers To Share
- ❯How To Communicate The Name Merlin In Sign Languages
- ❯Name Numerology For Merlin
- ❯Baby Name Lists Containing Merlin
- ❯Movie Titles Inspired By The Name Merlin
- ❯Frequently Asked Questions
- ❯Look Up For Many More Names
- ❯Phonemic Representation Of Merlin
- Community Experiences
Origin, Meaning, And History Of Merlin
Merlin is a sweet baby name rooted in Welsh culture and tradition. It is a gender-neutral name that means ‘of the sea fortress’ or ‘hill fort.’ The name is also a part of ancient Irish or Celtic cultures in which it means ‘from the hill over the sea.’ Some scholars consider Merlin to be a Latinized form of the term Myrddin.
Merlin, Myrddin, or Merlinus, is a legendary 12th-century personality known as a magician and the great wizard of the Arthurian Legends. The character was the brainchild of Geoffrey of Monmouth (medieval English chronicler), notably appearing in his work, History of the Kings of Britain. This character emerges as a wise youth blessed with prophetic powers (1).
Merlyn is a common variation of this name in English. According to some sources, Myrddin comes from a combination of Celtic terms mer, meaning mad, and dyn, meaning man, translating to mean ‘madman.’
Many historical and current figures have borne the name throughout the centuries. From English visual artist Merlin Carpenter and British businessman Merlin Bingham Swire to Indian composer Merlin D’Souza, the title has been prevalently used across cultures.
Merlin also appears in many fictional characters in books, TV series, and video games. For example, Merlin is the Disney wizard in the 1963 animated movie, ‘The Sword in the Stone.’ Also, Merlin is a legendary character appearing in DC and Marvel Comics. You may be familiar with the BBC TV series ‘The Adventures of Merlin’ or the American sitcom ‘Mr. Merlin.’ Moreover, a fun fact about this name is that it was the pen name used by the renowned poet Alfred Lord Tennyson. Merlin is also an exceptionally grand narrative poem by the author Edwin Arlington Robinson (2).
Merlin
How To Pronounce Merlin?
The way you pronounce a name can make all the difference.
Listen to the sound of the name Merlin in English.
‘Merlin’ In QR Code
Here's a unique feature for the modern, tech-savvy, and curious parents – have your baby's name in a QR code. If you want your close circle to know your newborn's name, all you need to do is simply scan and share it. The code not only shows the name but its meaning as well; this means you don't have to painfully explain the meaning of your baby's name anymore! So, go ahead. Download, save, and share it with your family and friends, or use it to create personalized keepsakes for your little one.
Notable People Named Merlin
This section covers people who have made the name Merlin famous with their contributions in various fields. It indeed is a little more inspiration for you to choose the name for your baby, don’t you think?
- Merlin SantanaActor and rapper
- Merlin OlsenFormer professional American football player, announcer, and actor
- Merlin Joseph GuilfoyleAmerican prelate of the Catholic Church and bishop of the Diocese of Stockton (1969 to 1979)
- Merlin MinshallBritish Naval officer and adventurer known to be among the inspirations for the James Bond series
- Merlin Owen PascoNew Zealand entomologist, famous for discovering a collection of moths in the early 1900s
Merlin On The Popularity Chart
Examine the popularity and rankings of the name Merlin through these Social Security Administration charts.
Popularity Over Time
The name’s popularity peaked in 2003, with 30 babies in a million being given the name. After that, it has not seen a positive trend.
Source: Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
The rankings of the name have witnessed several ups and downs over the past few decades. As of 2021, the name occupied the 8,754th position.
Source: Social Security AdministrationPopularity Within US States
If you're living in the US, you might be curious about the popularity of Merlin in your own state, a state you're considering moving to, or one with which you have a connection. Use the drop-down menu below to select any US state and discover the name's popularity within that region.
California
Texas
Florida
Source: Social Security AdministrationMerlin Name’s Presence On Social Media
Before you finalize your baby’s name, you would want to assess if the name is rare or popular. Digital footprint of the name - it’s presence on the internet and social media platforms - can provide you with valuable insights on it’s popularity. A name’s online presence is an important metric for new parents to evaluate their options and make an informed choice. How many people are searching the name on Google, how many profiles are there on Facebook, does the name have a Wikipedia page? Such information surely tells you if the name is ubiquitous or unique. Here is how Merlin fares on that count.
Merlin’s Mention In Fictional Works
In this section, know how the creative minds have treated the name Merlin in their fictional works. How often has the name been woven into the storylines, and how popular was the character – these details may not directly influence your naming decision, but you would like to know about Merlin’s performance in the world of entertainment, won’t you? Moreover, it could be the name of the character from a movie or series you loved or binge-watched recently! So, check out Merlin’s performance in the fictional cosmos.
Title | Character name | Role played by |
---|---|---|
Intrepid | Merlin | Daz Byard |
Privatdetektiv Harry Holl | Wilhelm Merlin | Toni Herbert |
Surat Cinta Untuk Starla: The Series | Merlin Maharani Madya | Rayna Snova |
Mythic Heroes | Merlin | Jason O. Johnson |
Fate/Grand Order | Merlin | Takahiro Sakurai |
Software Hardware Kya Yaaron | Merlin | Juby Devasia |
The Secret of Joy | Merlin | Jack Betts |
Bee and PuppyCat | Merlin | Ashly Burch |
Stupid Mario Brothers: The Movie | Merlin | Richard Alvarez |
Touhou Youyoumu: Perfect Cherry Blossom | Merlin Prismriver | Caitlynn French |
Names With Similar Sound As Merlin
Merlin sounds simple and friendly. If you wish to explore more names with similar phonetic qualities, check out the below names.
Popular Sibling Names For Merlin
If you are looking for some matching sibling names that resonate with Merlin, check our suggestions here.
Boy Sibling Names For Merlin
Find matching brother names for Merlin and create a wonderful team of siblings.
MairlandGirl Sibling Names For Merlin
Looking for some suitable sister names for Merlin? Check out our collection of beautiful and unique names.
MaralinOther Popular Names Beginning With M
Looking for more baby names starting with the letter M to resonate with your family’s naming tradition or to rhyme with the sibling names? Find a range of alternative names starting with this letter.
Names With Similar Meaning As Merlin
Merlin’s meaning is undoubtedly profound. If you are drawn to its significance, you might be interested in the following names having nearly the same meaning.
Names Rhyming With Merlin
The significance of rhyming names extends beyond their aesthetic appeal and a good feel. The repetition and symmetry enhance their memorability. If you want your children’s names to be easily remembered or tune with your name, try some rhyming names. Here are such names that rhyme with Merlin.
Anagram Names Of Merlin
William Shakespeare is known for his ‘onomastic wit,’ with anagrams being one of them (remember the play Twelfth Night?). Anagram is the rearrangement of the same letters to form different words. Anagramming names has been in vogue for centuries now, and why not when it can create some cute names? Anagram baby names stand out with their unique sound and spellings. You may try an anagram of your name or your partner’s; even better if you combine both names and then try an anagram for the baby. It all stays in the family this way. You may also try anagram names for siblings, especially twins. Here are some anagrams of Merlin.
MilnerPopular Songs On The Name Merlin
Acrostic Poem On Merlin
Dive into the lyrical charm of the name Merlin with this acrostic poem. Witness how each letter paints together a story, capturing the name’s individuality, strength, vitality, and sophistication. Inspiring, is it? Why not try a similar poem that describes what you think of your baby’s personality?
Modest and matured, you make people allured.
Ethereal beauty, one in nature’s symphony.
Royal and regal, you are meant to soar high like an eagle.
Lively soul illuminated with joyous laughter.
Impeccable in every detail, illustrious at every task.
Nurturing resilience and navigating challenges, never succumbing.
Adorable Nicknames For Merlin
Nicknames are an integral part of your communication with your baby. You tend to use several variations of your child’s name; some are meaningful, while others are simply adorable sounds. Here are a few nicknames you can begin with for the name Merlin.
- Mer
- Erli
- Lin
- Mel
- Ryn
Merlin’s Zodiac Sign As Per Western Astrology
Western astrology includes the construction of a horoscope based on the person’s exact time of birth and location to understand the positions of the planet, stars, and zodiac signs at that time. However, in popular culture, it is often narrowed down to the sun sign, which depends on the person’s birth date.There are 12 zodiac signs, each having dominant traits, planetary rulers, elemental connection, and more.
Zodiac sign or Sun sign
The Earth’s orbit around the sun is divided into 12 zodiac signs covering 30-degree sectors. According to Western astrology, the zodiac or sun sign depends on the sun’s position in one of these sectors at the time of your birth. Starting from the sun’s position at the March equinox, the chart goes anti-clockwise from Aries, followed by Taurus, Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo, Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces. These signs are ruled by planetary bodies - Mars, Venus, Mercury, Moon, Sun, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Furthermore, they are categorized into triplicities or elemental signs - fire, water, air, and earth - that govern their characteristics. Each of these zodiac signs features certain personality traits that may determine how a person presents themselves.
Why the date of birth matters
Each zodiac sign in Western astrology is linked to a specific range of dates in the year. Unlike Vedic astrology, where names can sometimes be used to infer astrological details, Western astrology relies entirely on the birth date.
To know more about your baby’s zodiac sign, choose the period in which your baby’s date of birth falls, from the options given below. This will give you a glimpse into the world of astrology tailored for your baby.
Select your baby’s birthdate range
Mar 21 – Apr 19
Apr 20 – May 20
May 21 – Jun 20
Jun 21 – Jul 22
Jul 23 – Aug 22
Aug 23 – Sep 22
Sep 23 – Oct 22
Oct 23 – Nov 21
Nov 22 – Dec 21
Dec 22 – Jan 19
Jan 20 – Feb 18
Feb 19 – Mar 20
Merlin’s Zodiac Sign And Birth Star As Per Vedic Astrology
Vedic astrology, also called Jyotisha, provides deep insights into a person’s life based on celestial positions at birth. Rashi and nakshatra, which are an integral part of Jyotisha, are believed to influence an individual’s personality and life events. The following sections give you rashi-related information, such as the associated letters, elements, ruling body, quality, and nakshatra for the name Merlin. These details help analyze a person’s characteristics, personality, and behavior.
Zodiac Sign (Rashi)
As shown in the following table, each rashi is associated with specific sounds, which are often used as the starting letters of names for newborns in Hindu families. Each rashi is represented by a figure and one of the five elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether (Space). One ruling celestial body, known as its 'rashi lord' or 'ruler' is assigned to these rashis. These bodies include Venus, Mars, Sun, Moon, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn. Furthermore, the rashis are assigned various qualities or gunas.
Rashi (zodiac sign) | Simha (Leo) |
---|---|
Starting letters for Simha (Leo) rashi | M, TT |
Representation | Lion |
Element | Fire |
Ruling body | Sun |
Quality | Fixed |
Birth Star (Nakshatra)
Another important aspect of Vedic Astrology is the nakshatras, the lunar constellations or star clusters that the Moon occupies during a person's birth. There are 27 nakshatras, each with its own unique qualities, attributes, and symbolism. Each rashi contains two-and-one-fourth nakshatras in it. For example, Aries contains Ashwini, Bharani, and Krithika nakshatras.
The below table provides information on the nakshatras’ degrees on the zodiac circle, their lords and related syllables, for babies born in the Simha (Leo) rashi. These syllables/phonetics are popularly used to choose the baby name. For precise nakshatra calculation based on your baby's birthplace and date, use our Nakshatra Calculator.
Nakshatra | Degrees Of The Nakshatra | Nakshatra Lord (Ruler) | Name Syllables |
---|---|---|---|
Magha (Makha, Makam) | Leo (0 to 13.20 degrees) | Ketu | Ma, Maa, Mi, Mee, Mu, Me |
Purva Phalguni (Pooram, Pubba) | Leo (13.20 to 26.40 degrees) | Venus | Mo, Ta, Taa, Ti, Tee, Tu |
Uttara Phalguni (Uthiram, Utram) | Leo (26.40 to 30 degrees) | Sun | Te, Ta, Taa, To, Pa, Paa, Pi, Pee |
Merlin Personality Traits As Per Numerology
The numerology belief system envisages a relationship between a name and numbers. The related numbers are believed to give insights into a person’s character. We have researched this area to connect the numerology-based characteristic traits to the letters of the English alphabet. And the results are fascinating.
Numerology followers believe that each letter signifies attributes that can influence a person’s attitude and approach. Among these placements, the most significant are the first letter (Cornerstone) and the last letter (Capstone) of a name. Cornerstone highlights your primary personality traits and explains how you face challenges and opportunities in life. Capstone can tell you about your approach to work and how you complete them. Often, a letter may be repeated twice or more in a name. This repetition signifies the intensification or amplification of the traits associated with the letter in an individual’s personality.
Read to know what characteristics the name Merlin is known for in numerology. Here we have avoided repetition of letters and added them just once for a better reading experience.
MYou are introspective, diligent, and pragmatic. You love to be independent but can be quite a workaholic..
EYou may be suitable for financial, legal, and public work. However, a repetition of these letters more than seven times can indicate frivolity.
RYou are sensitive, creative, and emotional. You are always patient and like to help others.
LYou are talented, expressive, and imaginative. You have a magnetic personality and enjoy artistic pursuits.
IYou are ambitious, brave, and independent. You tend to be dominating and seek power and status.
NYou can be quite opinionated, but you love adding your own touch to a project. You also don't hide from public view and embrace compliance.
Infographic: Know The Name Merlin‘s Personality As Per Numerology
Merlin In Different Languages
It’s exciting to see our baby’s name spelled and written in various languages. See how people spell Merlin in Spanish, French, German, Italian, and more! Each language has its own way of saying Merlin, but it’s still the same special name. Learn how the name looks and sounds in different languages around the world!
Name | Language | Code |
---|---|---|
Merlin | English | en |
梅林 | Chinese | zh-CN |
एक प्रकार का बाज़ | Hindi | hi |
Merlin | Spanish | es |
Merlin | French | fr |
ميرلين | Arabic | ar |
মেরলিন | Bengali | bn |
Merlin | Portuguese | pt |
Мерлин | Russian | ru |
مرلن | Urdu | ur |
Merlin | Indonesian | id |
Merlin | German | de |
マーリン | Japanese | ja |
एक प्रकार का बाज़ | Marathi | mr |
మెర్లిన్ | Telugu | te |
Merlin | Turkish | tr |
மெர்லின் | Tamil | ta |
Merlin | Vietnamese | vi |
Merlin | Tagalog | tl |
멀린 | Korean | ko |
Merlin | Hausa | ha |
Merlin | Swahili | sw |
Merlin | Javanese | jv |
Merlin | Italian | it |
ਮਰਲਿਨ | Punjabi | pa |
મર્લિન | Gujarati | gu |
เมอร์ลิน | Thai | th |
ಮೆರ್ಲಿನ್ | Kannada | kn |
መርሊን | Amharic | am |
एक प्रकार का बाज़ | Bhojpuri | bho |
Merlin | Yoruba | yo |
Merlin In Fancy Fonts
Visualize your little one’s name in different captivating fonts. You can use these fancy styles on birth announcement cards, nursery decorations, personalized gifts, to name a few. Select the perfect font from these options for a touch of personalization.
- Double Struck Font𝕄 𝕖 𝕣 𝕝 𝕚 𝕟
- Bold Script Font𝓜 𝓮 𝓻 𝓵 𝓲 𝓷
- Fancy Style 35 Fontm ε r レ ï η
- Fancy Style 7 FontΜ € Ř Ł Ɨ Ň
- Love FontM♥ e♥ r♥ l♥ i♥ n♥
- Black Square Font🅼 🅴 🆁 🅻 🅸 🅽
- Hand Writing 2 FontM ҽ ɾ ʅ ι ɳ
- X Above Bellow FontM͓̽ e͓̽ r͓̽ l͓̽ i͓̽ n͓̽
Liked our fancy fonts for Merlin? Why not go a step forward with these beautiful posters? They are perfect to download and use as display pictures or social media posts! You may also use them as part of decorating your child’s room. These personalized wallpapers celebrate the positive vibes of the name, offering a unique way to show how much this name means to you. What’s more! You have multiple options here to choose depending on your mood or occasion.
Merlin 3D Wallpaper
Merlin Birthday Wallpaper
‘I Love Merlin’ Wallpaper
Stylish Merlin Wallpaper
Merlin Name Initial Wallpaper
How To Communicate The Name Merlin In Sign Languages
In Nautical Flags
Merlin
In Sign Language
Merlin
In Braille Alphabet
Merlin
In Morse Code
Merlin
In Barcode
In Binary
01001101 01100101 01110010 01101100 01101001 01101110
Name Numerology For Merlin
Numerology is an occult system that gives significance to numbers and their influence on human life and destiny. Numerologists attribute specific qualities, energies, and characteristics to a number. Parents who believe in numerology prefer to choose baby names that resonate positively with the child’s unique numerical vibrations, often derived from their date of birth. Here we give a general birth number and personality traits of the name Merlin, based on the Pythagorean (Western) system. This analysis will differ from child to child based on their date of birth. You may use our numerology calculator for more personalized information.
Destiny Number
You will strive for success in work and life. You set goals and work diligently towards them to gain authority, financial success, and personal recognition.
Personality Number
You are attractive and have a great appreciation for things such as clothing and accessories. You hold the knack to find opportunities. Though you are a creative thinker, you tend to get carried away sometimes, which is something you need to work on.
Soul Number
You are versatile, adaptable, and have a natural enthusiasm. Attracted towards fast-paced and unusual life. You always urge to travel distances and thrive on the variety of experiences.
Baby Name Lists Containing Merlin
Read through our baby name lists that include the name Merlin and several other similar names. The wider the choice, the better your selection. Isn't it?
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Movie Titles Inspired By The Name Merlin
Discover the presence of Merlin in an array of films. Know about the various movies that have this name.
Movie title | Other titles | Release year |
---|---|---|
Merlin | 2018 | |
RiffTrax: Merlin the Return | 2017 | |
The Misadventures of Merlin Jones | As Desventuras de Merlin Jones, Las Desaventuras de Merlin Jones, Las Desventuras de Merlín Jones, Le disavventure di Merlin Jones, Les mésaventures de Merlin Jones, Merlin Jones - Der Mann, der zuviel wußte, Merlin Jonesin älynväläykset, O klironomos tou afirimenou kou kathigitou, Zafarrancho en la universidad, ツツぬけですピタリ一発 | 1964 |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Merlin?
The name Merlin means sea, and hill fort.
2. What is the origin of the name Merlin?
Merlin has an Irish, Welsh origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Merlin?
Merlin is pronounced as mer-leen.
Look Up For Many More Names
Do you have a name in mind and want to know more about it? Or want to find names belonging to a particular origin, religion, or having a specific meaning? Use our search tool below to explore more baby names with different combinations.
References
- Merlin.
https://www.worldhistory.org/Merlin/ - Merlin.
https://d.lib.rochester.edu/camelot/text/robinson-merlin - Astrology, Hermes (2023); Astrology for Beginners.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/370635414_Astrology_for_Beginners - Shirley Lawrence; The Secret Science of Numerology: The Hidden Meaning of Numbers and Letters.
https://www.academia.edu/97492675/The_Secret_Science_of_Numerology_The_Hidden_Meaning_of_Numbers_and_Letters_Shirley_Lawrence&nav_from=a3c5c3fd-555f-4584-b66d-4a3c8023402e&rw_pos=0 - Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia; “zodiac”; Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/zodiac - P.V.R. Narasimha Rao; Vedic Astrology: An Integrated Approach.
https://www.vedicastrologer.org/articles/vedic_astro_textbook.pdf - Paulo Martins; A Concise History of Hindu Astrology and Indian Spirituality; Scholars Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.
https://www.saspublishers.com/media/articles/SJAHSS_112_33-36_FT_MAEgJAB.pdf - International Phonetic Association.
https://www.internationalphoneticassociation.org/ - Adam Szczegielniak; Phonetics: The Sounds of Language; Harvard University.
https://scholar.harvard.edu/files/adam/files/phonetics.ppt.pdf - Lalita K. Wani et al; Review of Scientific Analysis Of Sacred Sound OM (AUM); Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (JETIR), Novermber 2020.
https://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2011207.pdf
Phonemic Representation Of Merlin
Phonemics is the study of a language’s distinctive sound units (phonemes), as standardized by the International Phonetics Association. When choosing a name for your baby, knowing its phonemic pronunciation gives an idea about the name’s sound pattern and auditory appeal. You can assess the name’s ease of pronunciation, memorability, and softness. Here is the phonemic transcription of Merlin in American and British accents.
- In American English: /ˈmɜːrlɪn/
- In British English: /ˈmɜː.lɪn/
Pronunciation of names, in fact, any spoken word, involves the participation of various parts of the mouth, vocal cord, nose, and lungs. Underneath all the sounds we make is the airstream flowing from the lungs and moving up to the mouth. It’s incredible how lips, tongue, teeth, alveolar ridge, palate, glottis, and larynx work harmoniously to bring out the words. Studies have proved that positive sounds like OM (AUM) help maintain hormonal balance and mental health and reduce stress and anxiety. So, what parts does Merlin trigger? Find the details here; the sound of Merlin might bring in more positive vibes into your life!
Phoneme | Articulation |
---|---|
/m/ | Bringing both lips together. Airflow stops for a fraction of a second |
/ɜ/ | Tongue mid. Airflow is continuous |
/r/ | Curling back the tip of the tongue behind the alveolar ridge. Causes some obstruction of the airstream in the mouth |
/l/ | Raising the tongue tip while keeping the rest of the tongue down. Causes some obstruction of the airstream in the mouth |
/ɪ/ | Tongue high front, less spread lips. Airflow is continuous |
/n/ | Tip of the tongue touching the alveolar ridge. Airflow stops for a fraction of a second |
Community Experiences
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