Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Marlan
BoyEnglish· “uncertain; perhaps Marlin or Marland”
- Meaning
- uncertain; perhaps Marlin or Marland (origin disputed)
- Origin
- English
- Pronunciation
- MAHR-luhn
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #13,220
- US babies 2025
- 5
- Best rank
- #1,291 (1941)
- Peak year
- 1941
Meaning and origin of Marlan
Marlan is often said to mean “uncertain; perhaps Marlin or Marland”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English roots.
Marlan is a rare boys' name of uncertain origin. It may be a variant of Marlin, Marland or Marlon. Marland is an English surname from a place name meaning boundary land or lake land, while Marlon became famous through the actor Marlon Brando and is itself of uncertain origin. Marlan has been used occasionally in the United States since the early twentieth century. It is said MAHR-luhn. Marl and Lan are possible nicknames. Marlan has a smooth, easygoing sound that places it near Marlon and Marvin in style.
Popularity over time
Marlan first appears in US Social Security records in 1915. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,291 in 1941, the same year it reached its highest count of 27 babies. In 2025, 5 babies were named Marlan, and it ranked #13,220 nationally.
Its national rank moved from #2,296 in 1920, #2,080 in 1950, #4,793 in 1980, #8,783 in 2000, #13,547 in 2010, and #13,220 in 2025. Of the 1,222 US boys named Marlan since records began, 15% were born in the 1970s, its biggest decade. The 1950s come next, with 173 babies. Since 2010, 49 more have been named Marlan.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Norvell, Prentis, Verdell, Namon, and Lyndell.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for boys.
Marlan is usually pronounced MAHR-luhn, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-an”.
Middle names for Marlan
A few middle names that flow with Marlan: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Marlan
Similar names
Harlan Boy
HAHR-luhn
“from an English place name” · English
#617
Christian Boy
KRIHS-chuhn
“follower of Christ” · Latin
#96
Rowan Unisex
ROH-uhn
“little red one; rowan tree” · Irish
#59
Rylan Boy
RY-luhn
“from Ryland, 'land where rye grew'” · English
#416
Ocean Unisex
OH-shuhn
“ocean, the sea” · English
#720
Alan Boy
A-luhn
“uncertain; possibly little rock or handsome” · Breton
#191
Dean Boy
DEEN
“valley; church official” · English
#125
Arlo Boy
AHR-loh
English
#148
Allan Boy
AL-uhn
“uncertain (variant of Alan)” · Scottish
#1,013
Jacky Unisex
JA-kee
“pet form of Jack or Jacqueline” · English
#11,203
Keiran Boy
KEER-un
“variant of Kieran; little dark one” · Irish
#5,727
Adian Boy
AY-dee-un
“modern variant of Aidan; little fire” · American (modern coinage)
#7,686
Lists that include Marlan
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Marlan mean?
Marlan is often said to mean “uncertain; perhaps Marlin or Marland”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English roots.
What is the origin of the name Marlan?
Marlan has English roots. Marlan is a rare boys' name of uncertain origin.
Is Marlan a popular name?
Not especially. Marlan ranked #13,220 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Marlan a boy or girl name?
Marlan is mainly a boy's name. In the US it is used almost only for boys.
How do you pronounce Marlan?
Marlan is usually pronounced MAHR-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