Meaning & origin
A reliable meaning for Merlie isn’t established in our sources yet. Rather than guess, we show what is recorded: how the name is used, how often, and the names it’s connected to.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1897. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Merlie through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 261
- 0 boys · 261 girls
- Most popular year
- 1921
- 15 babies
- 2025
- 0
- Outside the ranked list
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- —
- Too few births to compare
By the numbers
The most recent published U.S. birth count for girls is 5 in 1948. Later missing counts do not mean the name went unused. Its largest published annual count for girls was 15 in 1921. Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 289 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Merlie’s family of names
In Greek usage, Merlie as a surname is a transliteration of Μερλιέ.
The ring: spellings.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Merlie, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Margie
Margie is a feminine given name. It is used in English and Cebuano.
>99% girls
Mamie
Mamie is connected with Margaret and Mary in English naming traditions.
>99% girls
Mallie
“one who is sweet and gentle” · “star of the sea”
>99% girls
Minnie
“determined protector”
>99% girls
Dollie
“a gift of God”
>99% girls
Elzie
“from the nobleman's estate”
19% boys · 81% girls
Essie
“resembling a star” · “myrtle”
>99% girls
Harvie
“one who is ready for battle” · “a strong man”
18% boys · 82% girls