Merlin vs Marlin

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Merlin

Boy #2,083 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"sea fortress"

Origin: Brittonic/Welsh

Welsh English French Medieval

✓ All Clear

Boy #1,945 Most Popular 2 Syllables

"little hawk"

Origin: Germanic

English American

✓ All Clear

Merlin Rank #2,083

Marlin Rank #1,945

Marlin is more popular, ranked #1945 vs #2083 for Merlin.

Is Merlin or Marlin more popular?

Marlin is more popular, ranked #1945 compared to Merlin at #2083 in the United States.

What do Merlin and Marlin mean?

Merlin means "sea fortress" (Brittonic/Welsh origin). Marlin means "little hawk" (Germanic origin).

Are Merlin and Marlin boy or girl names?

Merlin is primarily a boy name. Marlin is primarily a boy name.