Marylyn is a name of English origin that has been popular throughout the world for several decades. It is a variant spelling of Marilyn, which is a combination of the names Mary and Lynn. The name Mary originates from Hebrew and means "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness," while Lynn is an English name that means "from the lake." Therefore, the meaning of Marylyn can be interpreted as "bitter lake" or "rebellious lake."
The name Marylyn gained popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century, largely due to the success of Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe. Although Marylyn is not considered a traditional name like Mary or Elizabeth, it has been used consistently throughout history. For example, there was a notable American author named Marylynne Piturro who wrote several books in the late 20th century.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Marylyn has declined somewhat, but it remains a recognizable and distinctive name that is often associated with strength and individuality. It is also a name that can be easily shortened to Mary or Lynn for those who prefer a more traditional nickname. Overall, Marylyn is a name with a unique history and meaning that continues to be used by parents seeking a distinct and memorable name for their daughter.
The name Marylyn has seen a varied history of popularity over the past century in the United States. From 1910 to 1950, there was a steady increase in its usage, peaking at 238 births in 1936. However, from the mid-1950s onwards, the name's popularity started to decline significantly.
In the 1950s and early 1960s, around 20-60 babies were named Marylyn each year. This number dropped further in the late 1960s and 1970s, with fewer than 20 births per year on average.
From the 1980s onwards, the name's usage became even more sporadic. There were years with no recorded births named Marylyn (e.g., 1984, 1985), while other years saw a small resurgence (such as in 1989 and 1993 with around 17 births each).
In the 21st century, the name Marylyn has continued to be used occasionally, with around 5-11 births per year from 2006 onwards. This data shows that while once a popular choice, the name Marylyn has fallen out of favor in recent decades and is now quite rare in the United States.
Despite its decline in popularity, it's fascinating to note that over the century-long span between 1910 and 2023, there have been a total of 3329 babies named Marylyn born in the United States. Each one of these individuals represents a unique story and identity shaped by their parents' choice of name.