The nameMarian

Marian is a girl's name in English, a medieval form of Mary. In Poland and Romania it is a boy's name.

Unisex name
Hebrew

Meaning

Marian comes from Marion, a French diminutive of Marie, and also from the Latin Marianus.

Origin

Hebrew, through French and Latin.

History

Maid Marian is the companion of Robin Hood. In the United States Marian reached 64th for girls in 1924.

Did you know?

Barred from a Washington concert hall because she was Black, the contralto Marian Anderson sang at the Lincoln Memorial in 1939 before 75,000 people.

Famous people named Marian

Marian Anderson, contralto
Maid Marian, companion of Robin Hood
Marian Keyes, novelist

Popularity of the name Marian

Marian in the United States

1150thmost popular girls' name in the United States in 2024

1924peak year (4,235 births)

143,077babies named Marian in the United States since 1880

Births per year in the United States. Source: Social Security Administration, names given at least 5 times a year.

Marian was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 39,316 births over the decade, 27% of all recorded babies named Marian. Its rise began around 1905, and it peaked in 1924. Half of all babies named Marian in the United States were born before 1930, so it is mostly a great-grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 196 births a year.

Marian in Ireland

1987peak year (134 births)

1,846babies named Marian in Ireland since 1964

Births per year in Ireland. Source: Central Statistics Office, names given at least 3 times a year.

Marian was most popular in Ireland in the 1970s, with 662 births over the decade, 36% of all recorded babies named Marian. Half of all babies named Marian in Ireland were born before 1976, so it is mostly a parents' generation name.

Marian in France

2386thmost popular boys' name in France, latest official figures

1932peak year (65 births)

2,075babies named Marian in France since 1900

Births per year in France. Source: Insee, French national statistics office, latest official figures. Rounded numbers.

Marian in Austria

618thmost popular boys' name in Austria in 2025

1991peak year (22 births)

512babies named Marian in Austria since 1984

Births per year in Austria. Source: Statistik Austria (until 2009, Austrian nationals only).

Marian in Norway

1969peak year (37 births)

886babies named Marian in Norway since 1945

Births per year in Norway. Source: Statistics Norway (SSB), table 10467.

Variants and related names

Sibling names for Marian

Names from the same generation as Marian, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.

For a sister

For a brother

How many people are named Marian? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz

Marian in our baby name lists

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Marian mean?

Marian comes from Marion, a French diminutive of Marie, and also from the Latin Marianus.

What is the origin of the name Marian?

Hebrew, through French and Latin.

Is Marian a girl's or a boy's name?

Marian is a unisex name, given to both girls and boys.

How popular is the name Marian?

In 2024, Marian was the 1150th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 209 births.

What are the variants of the name Marian?

Variants and related names of Marian include Marie, Marion and Maryan.

What are good sibling names for Marian?

Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Micaela, Dina, Ivana and Jana for a sister, Simeon, Reuben, Aron and Mike for a brother.

Who are famous people named Marian?

Marian Anderson, contralto; Maid Marian, companion of Robin Hood; Marian Keyes, novelist.