Marylou is a unique and distinctive feminine given name of French origin. The name is believed to have been coined by the American writer Jack Kerouac in his iconic novel "On the Road," published in 1957. In the story, Marylou is one of the main characters and is portrayed as a free-spirited and adventurous young woman.
The meaning behind the name Marylou is not explicitly stated in the novel or by its author. However, some sources suggest that it may be a combination of the traditional French name Marie (meaning "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness") and the English suffix "-lou," which is often used as a nickname or diminutive form.
Despite its unclear origins and meaning, Marylou has become an increasingly popular choice for parents in recent years. Its unique sound and association with Kerouac's classic work have contributed to its growing appeal. Today, Marylou is considered a modern classic, beloved by those who appreciate its independent and nonconformist spirit.
The name Marylou has had a varying degree of popularity over the past century in the United States. According to the statistics provided, there were only 5 births with the name Marylou in 1898, and this number fluctuated throughout the early 1900s, ranging from 5 to 12 births per year.
However, the popularity of the name began to increase significantly around the 1920s. In 1926, there were 146 births with the name Marylou, and this number more than doubled the following year to 281 births. This trend continued throughout the 1930s, with the highest number of births recorded in 1937, at 337.
The popularity of the name peaked during World War II, with a total of 376 births in 1942 and 373 births in 1943. However, after the war, the popularity of the name began to decline once again.
By the 1950s, there were around 200-300 births per year with the name Marylou, and this number continued to decrease throughout the following decades. In the 1960s, there were fewer than 200 births per year, and by the 1970s, there were fewer than 100 births per year.
In recent years, the popularity of the name Marylou has continued to decline, with only 26 births recorded in 2022. Overall, there have been a total of 13,057 births with the name Marylou in the United States since 1898.