All about the name

Marilyn

Male

« Marilyn is an English female given name formed by combining 'Marie' and 'Lynne', with origins in French and English habitational names respectively. »

#4783 since 1900

Meaning, origin, history

Marilyn is a feminine given name of English origin. It is derived from the combination of two elements: "Marie" and " Lynne". "Marie" is a variant of the French name Marie, which is ultimately derived from the Latin name Maria, meaning "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness." "Lynne" is an English surname that is believed to have originated as a habitational name from places called Lynn in Norfolk and North Lincolnshire. The name Marilyn has been popular throughout the 20th century, particularly in the United States. It was frequently used during the mid-20th century, reaching its peak popularity in the late 1940s to early 1950s. Some notable individuals with this name include: * Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962), an American actress, model, and singer who became a major sex symbol of the 1950s. * Marilyn French (1940-2018), an American feminist author known for her criticism of pornography. * Marilyn vos Savant (born 1946), an American magazine columnist and holder of the highest recorded IQ score. The name Marilyn has also been used as a surname in some cases. It is possible that it may have originated from a patronymic form of the given name, meaning "son of Marilyn." In literature and pop culture, Marilyn has appeared as characters' names or titles, such as in Arthur Miller's play "After the Fall" (1964), which explores his relationship with Marilyn Monroe. The name is also popular among pet owners for female dogs due to its classic yet feminine sound. Overall, Marilyn is a timeless and elegant feminine name with English origins that has been widely used throughout the 20th century. Its meaning, derived from "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness," may reflect a woman who has experienced adversity but remains resilient.

In numbers

Popularity of the name Marilyn since 1880

Total births
1,066
Total since 1880
Peak year
1937
45 births
in 1997
6
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
0%
vs previous 5 years