Merlyn, of Welsh origin, is an uncommon yet intriguing given name that has gained some recognition due to its association with the legendary figure of Merlin, the wise and powerful mentor to King Arthur in the Arthurian legend. The name Merlyn is believed to derive from the Welsh name Myrddin, which means "sea fort." In Welsh folklore, Myrddin was a prophetic bard who became associated with the legendary British warrior king Arthur. Over time, his name evolved into Merlin, and later Merlyn in English. This distinctive name may evoke images of wisdom, magic, and ancient lore, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a unique and meaningful name for their child.
The name Merlyn experienced significant popularity fluctuations over the years. Peak periods occurred during the early 1920s with a high of 36 births in 1923, and again during the late 1940s to mid-1950s with consistent numbers between 17 to 23 births annually. However, there was a notable decline starting from the late 1950s onwards, reaching as low as 5 births per year in several instances from the late 1960s to the early 1980s. Since then, Merlyn's popularity has seen some resurgence, with numbers ranging between 8 to 23 births annually up until recent years. Overall, there have been a total of 1621 recorded births for the name Merlyn from 1912 to 2023.