Marion

Marion began as a French diminutive of Marie, placing it in the wide family of names descended from Mary. The ultimate meaning of Mary is uncertain, despite familiar interpretations such as “beloved” or “bitter.” Marion has long stood on its own, carrying a connection with that older family without sounding like an abbreviation in everyday English.

It has also been used for both girls and boys. Actor John Wayne was born Marion, a well-known example of its masculine use, while many families know it through female relatives. Marian is a closely related spelling, but the two can carry different family associations and should not automatically be substituted on records. Marion's balanced three-part rhythm offers a traditional choice with room for a personal family story rather than one fixed modern gender image.