Merlin

[Moonfasa100]

I have a new colleague. I just thought that her name is so pretty and unusual. And I'd never heard of it before.

Her name is Merlin.

What do you think?

I like it.

You've never heard the name Merlin? Really?

Not on a woman , no.

And yes I've heard of it being used on men a long time ago.

But I've never met a male merlin in real life either.

It's a boy's name, surely?

It really suits her!

A good name for a dog, less so a person, but surely a male name?

Insane that you’ve never heard it before.

It’s a great name.

Well you can use most names for both genders these days.

I met a female James the other day.

I know 2 Merlins! One baby and one about 10. Both boys though. Great name, I think. It’s a bird name as well as the very famous wizard so could see how it might work on a woman.

Omg.

I didn't mean I'd never heard of it ANYWHERE before. Obviously there is merlin the wizard that we all know about .

I meant that I'd never heard it used as a woman's name before.

In our family it's the name of several cats!

Dreadful for a woman sorry, not keen on it for a man either tbh. I just think wizard. I don't think it's even a nice sounding name

I’d assume it was a male. Never heard a woman called Merlin.

Merlin is an amazing name 😀

Magical!

It actually really really suits her.

Everyone remembers her name too

No, it’s an animals name! I only know cats and ponies called Merlin

Yes, I have known of female Merlins - I remember thirty years ago as a teenager hearing about a woman named Merlin and loving it. Glad you like it, OP. I’d expect anyone, man or woman, named Merlin to be rather fabulous.

It's a small falcon. Also the name of a truly brilliant bird ID app.

I don't dislike it as a name, not sure it would suit everyone.

It's used in Wales as a man's name fairly frequently. At work we have 3 Merlins, all men although one spells it Merlyn.

As a woman called Merlin, everyone would be surprised at your sex I think, although it isn't a disadvantage to be thought of as male in some situations.

Morgan is a Welsh name with a similar vibe, but more commonly used for girls.

Notable female with the name, though spelt slightly differently:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merlyn_Lowther

I’ve only ever heard of it on the occasional upper class “arty”/bohemian man and on pets - personally I’m not keen on it for a woman as it’s very associated with a male legendary character (who is often pictured with a long grey beard 🤣) so it just seems a bit odd imagery for a woman. But if she likes it/is happy with her name that’s all that matters.

Edited to add: I do think it objectively has a nice sound though - and the “lyn/lin” ending is often found on feminine names so I guess it makes sense. Would still assume male though, as the wizard is hard to get past.

My friend's son is called Merlin. It's cool!

Also: Merlin Sheldrake is a dish.

Definitely not Marilyn?