Marlowe is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English word "mer" meaning sea, and "lēah" meaning clearing or meadow. Thus, Marlowe's literal meaning is "sea meadow." However, it has also been suggested that Marlowe might be a variant of the Welsh surname Merfyn.
The name Marlowe first gained prominence in the literary world due to its association with the Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe. Born in Canterbury, England in 1564, Marlowe was a contemporary of William Shakespeare and is considered one of the most influential figures in English literature. His works include the tragedy "Doctor Faustus" and the historical drama "Edward II," among others.
While Marlowe is not a particularly common name today, it has been used throughout history. Records show that it was used as both a given name and surname in England during the Middle Ages. In more recent times, notable individuals named Marlowe include American musician Jim Morrison's son, who was also named after Christopher Marlowe.
In summary, Marlowe is a name of English origin with a literal meaning of "sea meadow." Its most significant association is with Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe, though it has been used as both a given name and surname throughout history. Despite not being extremely common today, Marlowe remains a distinctive and meaningful choice for parents looking for unique baby names.
The name Marlowe has seen a significant increase in popularity over the past century, particularly in recent years.
In the United States, there were six babies named Marlowe each year between 1918 and 1921. The number of births peaked at seven in both 1923 and 1924 before declining to five or fewer per year until the late 1960s.
The popularity of the name began to rise again in the 1970s, with eleven births recorded in 1967 and ten in 1968. The decade saw a total of 127 babies named Marlowe, with peaks of twelve births each year from 1970 to 1973.
The 1980s brought another surge in popularity for the name Marlowe, with a total of 154 births recorded throughout the decade. The number of births reached double digits annually between 1982 and 1984, peaking at fifteen births in 1989.
The trend continued into the 1990s, with a total of 167 babies named Marlowe born between 1990 and 1999. The decade saw several peaks, including twelve births each year from 1998 to 2000.
Since the turn of the century, there has been an exponential increase in the number of babies named Marlowe. Between 2000 and 2023, a total of 4,678 babies were named Marlowe in the United States alone. The name's popularity peaked at 365 births in 2022.
Overall, Marlowe has shown consistent growth as a baby name over the past century, particularly since the 1970s. Its recent popularity can be attributed to its unique sound and its association with famous figures such as the playwright Christopher Marlowe and the film noir classic The Maltese Falcon, which features a character named Sam Spade who is often referred to by his nickname "Marlowe."