Merrin

Merrin is a surname and, less commonly, a given name. It appears in English-speaking regions and may have multiple origins; no single, universally accepted etymology is documented in standard reference works.

In popular culture, Merrin is best known as the surname of Father Lankester Merrin, a Jesuit priest who features in William Peter Blatty's novel The Exorcist (1971) and its film adaptation (1973). The character, a veteran exorcist, confronts demonic possession and has become a prominent figure in horror fiction.

As a given name, Merrin remains uncommon and is mostly encountered in contemporary naming choices. Spelling variants and related names may occur in different languages and communities, but Merrin is most often encountered as a surname.

Notable real-world uses of the surname are not widely documented in standard reference works; Merrin is chiefly recognized in relation to the fictional character.