Merline is an uncommon given name of French origin, derived from Merlin, which means "sea fortress" or "famous sea." The name was popularized by Sir Thomas Malory's 15th-century work "Le Morte d'Arthur," in which Merlin appears as a powerful magician and advisor to King Arthur. Despite its historical ties to a male figure, Merline can be used as a feminine given name. It is not widely used today but adds a touch of uniqueness and elegance to those who bear it.
The name Merline experienced fluctuations in popularity over the century from 1910 to 2007. The peak years for this name were 1924 with 37 births and 1940 with 35 births. However, after World War II, its usage significantly decreased, with fewer than 26 births per year in most years between 1946 and 1986. In the late 1980s to early 1990s, there was a slight resurgence with numbers ranging from 5 to 10 births per year. Since then, it has remained relatively uncommon, with fewer than 10 births per year until 2007.