Marlyn
Marlyn is a girl's name of English origin.
Meaning
Bitterness, beloved, or lake (derived from Mary and Lynn); or lake near the meadow.
Origin and history
Marlyn is a feminine name primarily derived as a variant of Marilyn, which itself blends Mary and Lynn, or as a feminine form of Marlin. It enjoyed moderate popularity in the mid-20th century in the United States and remains a familiar, classic choice. Today it is used less frequently, appealing to parents seeking a traditional yet slightly uncommon spelling.
Popularity in the United States
6,806 babies in the United States have been named Marlyn since 1880. It ranks #2049 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1964.
States where it is most popular
- CA (32 %)
- PA (14 %)
- NY (11.5 %)
- TX (8.9 %)
- IL (5.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 0 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 56 |
| 1920-1930 | 516 |
| 1930-1940 | 1,492 |
| 1940-1950 | 1,064 |
| 1950-1960 | 682 |
| 1960-1970 | 448 |
| 1970-1980 | 290 |
| 1980-1990 | 408 |
| 1990-2000 | 619 |
| 2000-2010 | 632 |
| 2010-2019 | 462 |
| 2020-2029 | 137 |
Famous people named Marlyn
- Marlyn Meltzer: Computer Scientist, Mathematician
- Marlyn Mason: Actress
Nicknames
Mar, Lyn, Marly
Fun facts
- Marlyn emerged as a simplified phonetic spelling of Marilyn, which peaked in popularity in the 1930s and 1940s.
- Besides being a variant of Marilyn, it is occasionally used as a feminine response to the masculine name Marlin.