Marion is a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Roman family name Marinus or Marianus. The name Marinus comes from the Latin word "marinus" which means "of the sea". Therefore, Marion can be translated to mean "of the sea".
The use of the name Marion dates back to ancient Rome where it was used as a masculine name. However, over time, the name became more commonly associated with females and is now predominantly used as a feminine given name.
In France, Marion was quite popular in the 19th century and has remained a popular choice for parents naming their daughters throughout the 20th century up to the present day. According to French registry statistics, Marion ranked among the top ten most popular girls' names between 1995 and 2004.
Notable individuals with the name Marion include American actress Marion Davies (1897-1961) who was known for her work in silent films during Hollywood's golden age, as well as French author Marcel Proust's character Madame Verdurin from his novel "In Search of Lost Time".
Overall, Marion is a classic and timeless feminine given name with roots in ancient Roman culture and history. Its maritime origins give it a unique and intriguing meaning that has contributed to its enduring popularity over centuries.
The name Marion has a rich history of usage in the United States, as evidenced by the provided statistics on its annual birth occurrences from 1880 to 2023.
In the late 19th century, Marion was quite popular, with over 100 births per year starting from 1885. The name reached a peak in 1895 with 856 births, indicating that it was highly favored during this period. This popularity persisted throughout the early 20th century, with Marion consistently ranking among the top names given to newborn girls.
The name's popularity soared between 1912 and 1923, with over 2,500 births per year on average. The highest point was reached in 1923, with an impressive 6,047 births. This decade marked the zenith of Marion's popularity in the United States.
However, like many other names, Marion's popularity began to wane after the 1920s. By the 1950s, the annual birth count had dropped significantly, with fewer than 1,000 births per year on average. This trend continued throughout most of the latter half of the century.
Interestingly, Marion experienced a brief resurgence in popularity during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with over 150 births per year occurring between 1988 and 1992. However, this spike was short-lived, and the name's popularity once again declined thereafter.
In recent years, Marion has remained relatively steady, with around 100 to 150 births per year since the turn of the century. Despite its fluctuations in popularity over time, Marion has consistently remained a favored name among parents in the United States, with a total of 189,015 babies named Marion between 1880 and 2023.
In conclusion, while Marion's popularity has ebbed and flowed throughout history, it remains an enduring name choice for families across generations. Its rich statistical record offers insight into the naming trends and preferences of parents in the United States over more than a century.