The name Marilyn is of English origin and has been popular among women for many decades. It was originally a combination of the names Mary and Lynn, with Mary being a traditional Christian name meaning "sea of bitterness" or "beloved," and Lynn typically meaning "from the lake." When combined, Marilyn means "beautiful like the sea."
The name Marilyn gained significant popularity in the mid-20th century due to its association with iconic American actress and singer Marilyn Monroe. Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, she legally changed her name to Marilyn Monroe in 1956. Her success and fame during this era contributed to an increase in parents choosing the name Marilyn for their daughters.
Despite its peak popularity around the mid-20th century, the name Marilyn has maintained a steady presence in naming trends throughout history. It was most popular in the United States during the 1940s and 1950s but continues to be used today, albeit less frequently than in previous decades.
In terms of its usage around the world, Marilyn is predominantly an English-speaking name. However, it can also be found among communities with strong ties to American culture or Hollywood, such as those living in Australia, Canada, and some European countries like France and Germany. While it may not have a specific cultural significance outside of North America, Marilyn remains a recognizable and historic female name worldwide.
In conclusion, the name Marilyn is of English origin and combines the names Mary and Lynn to create a meaning that translates to "beautiful like the sea." Its popularity can be largely attributed to the fame and success of actress Marilyn Monroe during the mid-20th century. Although its usage has declined since then, Marilyn remains an enduring and recognizable name for women.
The name Marilyn has a fascinating history of popularity and usage in the United States, as evidenced by these annual birth statistics from 1918 to 1969.
In the early years, Marilyn's popularity was quite low, with only 7 births recorded in 1918. However, it started to gain traction in the mid-1920s, reaching double digits for the first time in 1926 with 11 births. This upward trend continued into the early 1930s, peaking at 17 births in 1931 and remaining consistently high until 1935.
The mid-1930s saw a slight dip in popularity, but it quickly rebounded in the late 1930s and throughout the 1940s. The name Marilyn reached its peak popularity during this period, with a total of 27 births recorded in 1936 and consistently high numbers ranging from 21 to 33 births per year until 1947.
After 1947, the popularity of the name Marilyn began to decline gradually. However, it remained relatively stable throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, with annual birth counts fluctuating between 5 and 15.
In total, from 1918 to 1969, there were 524 births registered for the name Marilyn in the United States. These statistics illustrate how the name's popularity ebbed and flowed over time but ultimately remained a notable choice for parents throughout much of the 20th century.
This information can be useful for those interested in trends related to baby names, genealogy research, or simply appreciating the history behind personal naming choices. It is also a reminder that even when popularity wanes, certain names continue to hold significance and remain relevant within families and communities across generations.