The nameMarilyn
Marilyn is a 20th century American name, blending Mary and Lynn. It is forever linked to Marilyn Monroe.
- Girl's name
- English
Meaning
Marilyn combines Mary, from the Hebrew Miryam, with the suffix lyn, as in Carolyn.
Origin
English, a modern compound.
History
Marilyn rose fast in the 1920s and peaked at 13th in the United States in 1936. Norma Jeane Mortenson took it as her screen name and made it a legend.
Did you know?
- In 1962 Marilyn Monroe sang Happy Birthday, Mr. President to John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden.
Famous people named Marilyn
- Marilyn Monroe, actress
- Marilyn Horne, mezzo-soprano
- Marilyn vos Savant, columnist
Popularity of the name Marilyn
Marilyn in the United States
Marilyn was most popular in the United States in the 1940s, with 99,226 births over the decade, 26% of all recorded babies named Marilyn. Its rise began around 1922, and it peaked in 1947. Half of all babies named Marilyn in the United States were born before 1945, so it is mostly a grandparents' generation name. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 419 births a year on average, against 586 in the five years before.
Marilyn in France
Marilyn was most popular in France in the 1970s, with 1,470 births over the decade, 28% of all recorded babies named Marilyn. Its rise began around 1953, and it peaked in 1979. Half of all babies named Marilyn in France were born before 1978, so it is mostly a parents' generation name.
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Marilyn
Names from the same generation as Marilyn, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Marilyn? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Marilyn with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Marilyn side by side with the name of your choice.
Marilyn in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Marilyn mean?
Marilyn combines Mary, from the Hebrew Miryam, with the suffix lyn, as in Carolyn.
What is the origin of the name Marilyn?
English, a modern compound.
Is Marilyn a girl's or a boy's name?
Marilyn is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Marilyn?
In 2024, Marilyn was the 666th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 432 births.
What are the variants of the name Marilyn?
Variants and related names of Marilyn include Marie.
What are good sibling names for Marilyn?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Lexi, Maddison, Tessa and Joy for a sister, Stanley, Johnny, Harry and Nelson for a brother.
Who are famous people named Marilyn?
Marilyn Monroe, actress; Marilyn Horne, mezzo-soprano; Marilyn vos Savant, columnist.