Merla

French

"blackbird"

Merla Origin and Meaning

The name Merla is a girl's name.

Merla is a feminine name with varied origins and meanings across cultures. In Spanish, it derives from "merlo" meaning "blackbird," symbolizing beauty and grace. It can also be considered a variation of Merle, which has Germanic roots meaning "famous" or "bright." In some contexts, Merla appears as a shortened form of names like Merlinda or Merilda. The name has never achieved widespread popularity in English-speaking countries, remaining distinctive and uncommon. Merla peaked in usage in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s but has since become quite rare. The name carries a vintage charm while maintaining a simple, melodic quality that feels both familiar and unique.