Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Marilyn
GirlEnglish· “blend of Mary and Lynn”
- Meaning
- blend of Mary and Lynn
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- MEH-ruh-luhn
- Syllables
- 3
- US rank 2025
- #761
- US babies 2025
- 356
- Best rank
- #13 (1936)
- Peak year
- 1947
Meaning and origin of Marilyn
Marilyn is an English name that means “blend of Mary and Lynn”.
Marilyn is a twentieth-century creation that combines Mary with the popular name ending -lyn. Through Mary it connects to the Hebrew Miryam, a name of debated meaning. Marilyn became widely used in the United States in the early and middle twentieth century, and it will always be associated with Marilyn Monroe, the film star who adopted it as her screen name. Other bearers include the opera singer Marilyn Horne. The name sounds warm and glamorous, with a strong vintage feel that some parents now find ready for revival. Mari and Lynn are possible nicknames.
Other spellings with the same sound: Marilynn.
Popularity over time
Marilyn first appears in US Social Security records in 1899. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 119 different years, starting in 1906. Its best national rank was #13 in 1936, and the most babies received it in 1947, when 11,881 were named Marilyn. In 2025, 356 babies were named Marilyn, and it ranked #761 nationally. That is 52% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #288 in 1920, #37 in 1950, #394 in 1980, #509 in 2000, #548 in 2010, and #761 in 2025. Of the 373,791 US girls named Marilyn since records began, 26% were born in the 1940s, its biggest decade. The 1930s come next, with 98,531 babies. Since 2010, 8,841 more have been named Marilyn.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Gloria, Martha, Bonnie, Jane, and Phyllis.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Marilyn ranked highest in Wisconsin, Missouri, and Alabama.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Marilyn is usually pronounced MEH-ruh-luhn, with three syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-yn”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Marilynn.
Middle names for Marilyn
A few middle names that flow with Marilyn: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Marilyn
Similar names
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Lists that include Marilyn
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Marilyn mean?
Marilyn is an English name that means “blend of Mary and Lynn”.
What is the origin of the name Marilyn?
Marilyn has English roots. Marilyn is a twentieth-century creation that combines Mary with the popular name ending -lyn.
Is Marilyn a popular name?
Yes. Marilyn ranked #761 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Marilyn a boy or girl name?
Marilyn is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Marilyn?
Marilyn is usually pronounced MEH-ruh-luhn. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings