Merle

A surname from French of French origin.

Proper noun

  1. A surname from French of French origin.
  2. A male given name transferred from the surname.
    • Merle Haggard is a name out of a morality play. And that's the kind of songs he sings. - 1968 May 3, Al Aronowitz, “New Country Twang Hits Town”, in Life Magazine, page 12:

Origin

Etymology tree French Merlebor. English Merle Borrowed from French Merle.

Proper noun Entry 2

  1. A female given name from English.
    • Her name was Merle, and to her name she always said she owed the fact that Gilbert Vanborough ever looked at her. - 1887, Emily Frances Adeline Sergeant, Jacob's Wife, page 92:
    • "I wish I had a name like Merle Oberon or Miriam Hopkins," Mary Agnes said dreamily as she scanned the display of Coming Attractions. - 1976, From These Hills, From These Valleys: Pennsylvania Writers' Collection,...

Origin

English 19th-century bird name from merle (“blackbird”), possibly also a variant of Muriel, Merrill, etc.