Meaning & History
Merle is a given name used for both boys and girls. It derives from the English word merle or the French surname Merle, both meaning "blackbird" (from Latin merula). The French cognate Merle originated as a nickname for someone bearing a resemblance to the bird, which became a surname and subsequently a given name.
In English-speaking countries, Merle gained some currency as a variant of names like Merrill or Muriel, reflecting the appeal of bird-derived names. Its use in E