Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Marlowe
GirlEnglish, Old English· “remnant of a lake”
- Meaning
- remnant of a lake
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- MAHR-loh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #523
- US babies 2025
- 575
- Best rank
- #523 (2025)
- Peak year
- 2025
Meaning and origin of Marlowe
Marlowe is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “remnant of a lake”.
Marlowe comes from an English surname and place name, Marlow, meaning "remnant of a lake," from the Old English mere, "lake," and lafe, "remnant." Marlow is a town on the River Thames in Buckinghamshire. The Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe and the fictional detective Philip Marlowe gave the surname literary weight. As a girl's name, Marlowe is a recent choice with a stylish, artistic feel. Marley and Lo are possible nicknames.
Popularity over time
Marlowe first appears in US Social Security records in 1918. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 7 different years, starting in 2017. It is at its all-time high right now: 2025 brought both its best national rank, #523, and its highest count, 575 babies. Use has grown 159% in ten years.
Its national rank moved from #5,085 in 1950, #8,706 in 1980, #7,032 in 2000, #2,775 in 2010, and #523 in 2025. Of the 4,805 US girls named Marlowe since records began, 48% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,872 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jovie, Hadassah, Clover, Iyla, and Analeia.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Marlowe ranked highest in New Hampshire, Colorado, and Minnesota.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | #260 | 5 |
| Colorado | #274 | 23 |
| Minnesota | #299 | 19 |
| Wisconsin | #338 | 16 |
| Michigan | #370 | 24 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 91% of US babies named Marlowe over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
Marlowe is usually pronounced MAHR-loh, with two syllables. It has seven letters, starts with M and ends in “-we”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Marlo and Marlow.
Middle names for Marlowe
A few middle names that flow with Marlowe: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Marlowe
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Lists that include Marlowe
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Marlowe mean?
Marlowe is an English and Old English name that is usually said to mean “remnant of a lake”.
What is the origin of the name Marlowe?
Marlowe has English and Old English roots. Marlowe comes from an English surname and place name, Marlow, meaning "remnant of a lake," from the Old English mere, "lake," and lafe, "remnant." Marlow is a town on the River Thames in Buckinghamshire.
Is Marlowe a popular name?
Yes. Marlowe ranked #523 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Marlowe a boy or girl name?
Marlowe is mainly a girl's name. About 91% of US babies named Marlowe over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.
How do you pronounce Marlowe?
Marlowe is usually pronounced MAHR-loh. 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