Merlijn
Welsh/Latin · Boy · 2 syllables
Popularity & facts
Relative popularity index, 2010–2025Popularity over time
Popularity indexHistorical popularity from 1880–2025 · US Social Security Administration data
About the name Merlijn
Merlijn means "sea fortress" or derives from the Latin "Merula" (blackbird) combined with Germanic elements, though it is most famously associated with Merlin, the legendary Welsh wizard whose name may come from Welsh "Myrddin" meaning "sea" or "fortress." The name is primarily used in Dutch and Flemish cultures as the Dutch form of Merlin, and carries medieval literary significance through Arthurian legend, particularly in Germanic and Romance language regions.
Cross-referenced with Wikidata/Wikipedia. AI-assisted, community-reviewable. Suggest an improvement.
Etymology
Merlijn means "sea fortress" or derives from the Latin "Merula" (blackbird) combined with Germanic elements, though it is most famously associated with Merlin, the legendary Welsh wizard whose name may come from Welsh "Myrddin" meaning "sea" or "fortress." The name is primarily used in Dutch and Flemish cultures as the Dutch form of Merlin, and carries medieval literary significance through Arthurian legend, particularly in Germanic and Romance language regions.
Merlijn currently ranks #1,220 in the United States as a boy's name. It reached its peak popularity around 2009.
Contribute to this name
Help improve this page with a meaning, origin, or correction—and get credited as a contributor.
Share your knowledge about this name—meaning, origin, pronunciation, or correction. Your contribution is reviewed and credited with your name.
Login to contributeWe use Google & Facebook login — no password needed.
Sibling name ideas
Germanic/Dutch names that sit beautifully beside MerlijnSimilar names you might like
Names starting with MMore names starting with M
- Maden
- Madie
- Macaire
- Madalynn
- Maan
- Madinah
- Madhura
- Maaya
- Maela
- Madelon
- Madalyn
- Maazin
- Mace
- Maddux
- Maame
- Maddalena
- Madilynn
- Madyson
Find middle names for Merlijn →
🧬 See Merlijn's popularity the year you were born →
🔢 Get Merlijn's free numerology report card →
💫 Is Merlijn your name? Get your free “My name means…” card →
👶 Have a Merlijn already? Find sibling names that fit →
💬 Does Merlijn go with your surname? Check the rhythm, rhyme and initials →
Names that sound like Merlijn
Phonetic match, not just spelling"Marloes is a Dutch feminine given name derived from "Maria" (Mary), combined with the diminutive suffix "-loes," meaning "little Mary"…"
"Marlies is a Dutch diminutive form combining "Maria" (from Latin Mariam, meaning "of the sea" or "beloved") with the diminutive…"
"Marie-Louise combines two names: Marie, derived from Latin "Maria" (meaning "of the sea" or associated with the Virgin Mary), and…"
"The name 'Marleigh' is a modern English variant of 'Marley,' meaning "pleasant wood" or "meadow near the lake," derived from…"
"The given name 'Marie-Luise' is a compound name composed of 'Marie', derived from the Latin name 'Maria', meaning 'bitter' or…"
"Marilis is a feminine given name derived from the Latin root "maris" (of the sea) combined with the diminutive suffix…"
"Mariluz is a Spanish compound name combining "María" (Mary) and "luz" (light), derived from Latin "Maria" and "lux," meaning "Mary…"
"The name 'Maria-Louise' combines 'Maria', derived from the Hebrew 'Miryam' meaning "beloved" or "bitter," and 'Louise', from the Germanic 'Chlodowig'…"
"Marie-Louisa is a compound name combining Marie (from Latin Marianus, meaning "of Mary") and Louisa (from the Germanic Louis, meaning…"
"Marie-Elise is a French compound name combining Marie (from Latin "Maria," meaning "of the sea" or "beloved") and Elise (from…"
"The given name 'Marie-Alice' is a compound name consisting of 'Marie', derived from the Latin name 'Maria', meaning 'bitter' or…"
"Maria-Liisa is a Finnish compound name combining Maria (meaning "of the sea" or "beloved," from Latin/Hebrew roots) and Liisa (the…"