Merle

Meaning: Its source is an Old French expression meaning "Blackbird."

Variant Forms: Merrill, Merlo, Meriel and Merel

Popularity: The name Merle ranked 468th in popularity for males of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: This name might have derived from the Irish Gaelic Muirgheal and Scots Gaelic Muireall, both meaning ''sparkling sea.''

Arts and Music

Merle Haggard (born 1937)
American singer and songwriter.
- Country Music Hall of Fame (see list of Country Music Hall of Fame)
- Winner of six Country Music Association awards, in 1970, 1972 and 1983 (see list of Country Music Association Award Winners)
Merle Travis (born 1917, died 1983)
American musician and songwriter.
- Country guitarist (see list of Guitarists)
- Country Music Hall of Fame (see list of Country Music Hall of Fame)

Merle Curti (born 1897, died 1996)
American historian.
- 1944 Pulitzer Prize winner for History, for The Growth of American Thought (see list of Winners of the Pulitzer Prize for History)

None

Meaning: Its source is an Old French expression meaning "Blackbird."

Alternative Spellings: Murle

Popularity: The name Merle ranked 839th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

Though this name has fluctuated in use, it has been quietly present throughout the last century.

Narrative: This name also developed as an alternate form of Muriel and Meriel, Gaelic-derived names meaning ''sparkling sea.''

Merle Oberon (born 1911, died 1979)
American actress.
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Picture (see list of Movie Personalities with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)