Marion is a feminine given name of Latin origin. It comes from the Latin word "Maria," which means "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness." However, it's more commonly associated with the meaning "star of the sea," believed to be derived from the Latin phrase "stella maris."
The name Marion has been in use since medieval times. It was particularly popular among the French nobility during the Middle Ages. In fact, there were several royal figures named Marion throughout history, such as Marion de France, who was the daughter of King Louis VII of France.
In literature, Marion appears in various works including "The Man Who Would Be King" by Rudyard Kipling and "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë. These appearances have helped to further popularize the name.
Today, Marion continues to be a popular choice among parents for their daughters. It has a classic and timeless appeal while also sounding modern and approachable. Overall, Marion is a name with a rich history and an appealing meaning that continues to captivate people around the world.
The name Marion has been a popular choice for parents in the United States since at least 1880, with over 180 births recorded that year alone. The popularity of the name Marion fluctuated greatly throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Between 1880 and 1934, the number of annual births with the name Marion ranged from a high of 226 in 1907 to a low of 1130 in 1934.
Interestingly, during this period, the popularity of Marion seemed to peak around World War I. Between 1912 and 1923, the number of annual births with the name Marion ranged from a high of 982 in 1914 to a low of 680 in 1912. This is significant because it coincides with a time of great upheaval and change in American society.
However, after 1934, the popularity of the name Marion began to decline significantly. By 1950, there were fewer than 900 births recorded each year with the name Marion. This downward trend continued throughout the mid-20th century, with annual births ranging from a high of 855 in 1951 to a low of 245 in 1975.
Despite this decline in popularity, Marion remained relatively stable as a girls' name throughout most of the latter half of the 20th century. However, since around the year 2000, there has been a notable decrease in the number of annual births with the name Marion. In fact, by 2021, there were only 40 recorded births with the name Marion in the United States.
In conclusion, while Marion was once a popular girls' name in the United States, its popularity has declined significantly over time. Despite this decline, Marion remains a classic and timeless name that continues to be chosen by parents today, albeit at a much lower rate than in previous decades.