Merlin is a name of Welsh origin, derived from the Old Welsh word "Myrddin," which means "sea fortress." The name has been popularized in literature and folklore, notably through the character Merlin, the legendary mentor of King Arthur in the Arthurian legend.
The first mention of Merlin appears in Geoffrey of Monmouth's "Historia Regum Britanniae" (History of the Kings of Britain), written around 1136. In this work, Merlin is described as a bard and prophet who aids King Vortigern in his rise to power before predicting the arrival of King Arthur. This version of Merlin is further developed by later writers like Thomas Malory in "Le Morte d'Arthur," where Merlin's magical powers and wisdom play a significant role in Arthur's reign.
Over time, the character of Merlin has evolved and been adapted in various forms of media, including books, films, television shows, and video games. Despite these interpretations, the core of Merlin's character remains tied to his origins in Welsh folklore and his role as a wise advisor and mentor to King Arthur.
In terms of its usage as a given name, Merlin has not been particularly popular throughout history. However, it has gained some popularity in recent years, perhaps due to its association with the magical and mysterious figure from Arthurian legend. As of 2019, it ranks around the 500th most popular boys' name in England and Wales.
In summary, Merlin is a name of Welsh origin that means "sea fortress." Its popularity stems largely from its association with the legendary character Merlin, who played a significant role in Arthurian legend as King Arthur's mentor. While not particularly common as a given name, Merlin has gained some recent popularity and continues to be associated with wisdom, magic, and mystery.
The given statistics show the annual number of births with the name Merlin in the United States from 1901 to 2023. Over this period, there has been a total of 891 babies named Merlin.
Looking at the data, we can see that the popularity of the name Merlin has varied over time. The earliest year listed is 1901 with 6 births. After that, there are several years with fewer than 10 births until 1925 when the number of Merlin births starts to increase, reaching a peak of 30 births in 2003.
From 2004 onwards, the popularity of the name Merlin seems to have stabilized, with an average of around 12-17 births per year. The most recent data available shows that there were 13 births in 2023.
This information can help us understand the trend of the name Merlin over time and how it has been chosen for babies born in the United States. It is always fascinating to see how naming trends evolve throughout history!