Marlon is a unisex given name of African origin, derived from the Maroon people who were slaves who escaped and formed their own communities in South America. The name Marlon gained prominence due to its usage by notable individuals such as American actor Marlon Brando. It has been ranked among the top 1000 boys' names in several countries including the United States, Canada, and Australia.
The name Marlon has been consistently popular among parents in the United States over the past century, with a significant increase in its popularity during the mid-20th century. In the early years of the 1900s, there were fewer than 10 births per year with the name Marlon. However, beginning in the 1950s, the number of babies named Marlon began to rise significantly.
In 1954, there were 203 babies named Marlon, marking a significant increase from previous years. This trend continued into the 1960s and 1970s, with over 300 babies being named Marlon each year between 1967 and 1979.
The name Marlon reached its peak popularity in the United States during the early 1970s. In 1972, there were a total of 1,029 babies named Marlon, making it one of the most popular names for boys that year. This high level of popularity continued into the late 1970s and early 1980s, with over 500 babies being named Marlon each year between 1976 and 1984.
While the name Marlon has seen a decrease in its overall popularity since the mid-1980s, it remains a widely-used name. In recent years, there have been around 200 to 300 babies named Marlon each year in the United States. Overall, there have been a total of 30,554 babies named Marlon born in the United States since records began being kept in 1914.
Despite its fluctuations in popularity over the years, the name Marlon has maintained a consistent presence among American parents and continues to be chosen as a distinctive and memorable name for their sons.