Maryellen is a unique and charming name of Irish origin. It is derived from the Irish Gaelic name "Máire Elaine," which means "seagull" and "bright, shining one," respectively. The first part of the name, Máire, is the Irish form of the name Mary, which was popularized by the Virgin Mary in Christian tradition. The second part of the name, Elaine, is derived from the Old French name Helen, which means "torch" or "shining light."
The name Maryellen is not particularly common and may be considered somewhat exotic due to its Irish origin and unusual combination of names. However, it has been used occasionally throughout history, with notable bearers including American singer-songwriter Maryellen Turner and Australian actress Maryellen Moffatt.
Despite its rarity, the name Maryellen has a certain charm and uniqueness that makes it stand out. Its Irish origins give it a strong connection to Celtic culture and heritage, while its meaning conveys a sense of brightness and lightness. Overall, Maryellen is an intriguing and captivating name with a rich history and meaningful origin.
Based on the provided statistics, the name Maryellen has seen a significant rise and fall in popularity over the years in the United States.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Maryellen was quite rare, with fewer than 10 births per year recorded between 1891 and 1913. However, starting around 1914, there was a notable increase in the number of girls named Maryellen at birth. This trend continued throughout the 1920s, reaching a peak of 144 births in 1939.
The popularity of the name Maryellen reached its zenith during World War II and the immediate post-war years, with over 276 births per year recorded between 1940 and 1949. This period also marked the height of the baby boom era in the United States. However, as the baby boom generation grew up, the name Maryellen began to lose its popularity, with fewer than 300 births per year recorded from the early 1950s onwards.
By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the number of girls named Maryellen at birth had fallen significantly, with fewer than 200 births per year recorded. This trend continued throughout the rest of the century, with only a handful of births recorded each year since the late 1980s.
In recent years, the name Maryellen has seen a slight resurgence in popularity, with around 25-30 births per year recorded between 2008 and 2022. However, it remains far less popular than it was during its peak years in the mid-20th century.
In total, there have been approximately 13,100 births of girls named Maryellen in the United States since records began. While once a relatively uncommon name, Maryellen has experienced periods of significant popularity and decline over the past century.