Marilyn
- Meaning
- Combination of Mary and Lynn; no single certain translation
- Origin
- English
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What does Marilyn mean?
Marilyn means “Combination of Mary and Lynn; no single certain translation”.
Marilyn is an English combination of Mary and Lynn. Mary’s ancient meaning is uncertain, and Lynn can have several family or surname connections, so joining them does not produce one secure literal translation. Explanations that stack bitterness, the sea, love, and a lake together obscure the name’s simpler formation.
Marilyn Monroe is its most immediately recognizable bearer, but opera singer Marilyn Horne and lyricist Marilyn Bergman offer other associations. The name can preserve either a Mary or a Lynn in a family, or both. Marilynn is a close spelling comparison, while the complete three-syllable form has an established identity of its own.
Nicknames & variations
Explore short forms, spellings, and related names.
Nicknames for Marilyn
Short forms for everyday use.
Variations & related forms
Related forms and spellings recorded for this name.
How popular is Marilyn?
United States · 2025Explore how often Marilyn is used and how its ranking has changed.
- US girls rank
- #761 2025 · #1 is most popular
- Girls named Marilyn
- 356 Recorded births in 2025
- Change in births
- 18.3% Fewer than 2024
Marilyn over time
United States · Girls
Recorded births
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Yearly data & usage
Rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys. The summary highlights girls, the most common recorded usage in 2025.
| Year | Usage | US rank | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | #761 | 356 |
| 2024 | Girls | #665 | 436 |
| 2023 | Girls | #744 | 378 |
| 2022 | Girls | #698 | 423 |
| 2021 | Girls | #706 | 409 |
| 2020 | Girls | #634 | 457 |
| 2019 | Girls | #634 | 467 |
| 2018 | Girls | #607 | 498 |
| 2017 | Girls | #531 | 585 |
| 2016 | Girls | #491 | 634 |
| 2015 | Girls | #426 | 748 |
| 2014 | Girls | #404 | 798 |
Years reflect available birth records. Missing records do not mean zero births.
Names like Marilyn
Explore the connection, then save your favorites to compare.
Mary
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Meaning uncertain; from the Miriam name family
Listed as a related name to Marilyn.
Evelyn
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Desired; or water, island
Shares an origin with Marilyn.
Eliana
Mostly girls- Meaning
- My God has answered; sun
Shares an origin with Marilyn.
Eleanor
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Uncertain; from Aliénor
Shares an origin with Marilyn.
Violet
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Purple
Shares an origin with Marilyn.
Harper
Mostly girls- Meaning
- Harp player
Shares an origin with Marilyn.
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