Merlin vs Clive

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Merlin

Boy #2,083 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"sea fortress"

Origin: Brittonic/Welsh

Welsh English French Medieval

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Boy #2,057 Most Popular 1 Syllable

"one who lives near a steep bank"

Origin: Old English

English British American

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Merlin Rank #2,083

Clive Rank #2,057

Clive is more popular, ranked #2057 vs #2083 for Merlin.

Is Merlin or Clive more popular?

Clive is more popular, ranked #2057 compared to Merlin at #2083 in the United States.

What do Merlin and Clive mean?

Merlin means "sea fortress" (Brittonic/Welsh origin). Clive means "one who lives near a steep bank" (Old English origin).

Are Merlin and Clive boy or girl names?

Merlin is primarily a boy name. Clive is primarily a boy name.