Marilyn Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Marilyn is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Marilyn?
Marilyn is spelled M-A-R-I-L-Y-N. The name has 7 letters.
Marilyn at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Marilyn is a modern English blend of “Mary” and “Lynn.”
- Origin
- Marilyn is commonly considered a combination of the names Mary and Lynn, emerging in English-speaking countries.
- Pronunciation
- MAR-i-lin · 3 syllables
Marilyn Popularity in 2025
Rank#760
Recorded Births356
- Girls usage fell 95 places to #760 and recorded 80 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Marilyn Mean?
Marilyn is a modern English blend of “Mary” and “Lynn.”
Origin: Marilyn is commonly considered a combination of the names Mary and Lynn, emerging in English-speaking countries.
How Do You Pronounce Marilyn?
PronunciationMAR-i-lin
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Marilyn?
- History
- The name Marilyn has appeared in English-speaking contexts since the 20th century as a blend name.
Marilyn Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2002 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 356 | #760 |
| 2024 | Girls | 436 | #665 |
| 2023 | Girls | 378 | #743 |
| 2022 | Girls | 423 | #697 |
| 2021 | Girls | 409 | #704 |
| 2020 | Girls | 457 | #634 |
| 2019 | Girls | 467 | #634 |
| 2018 | Girls | 498 | #606 |
| 2017 | Girls | 585 | #529 |
| 2016 | Girls | 634 | #490 |
| 2015 | Girls | 748 | #426 |
| 2014 | Girls | 798 | #404 |
| 2013 | Girls | 837 | #373 |
| 2012 | Girls | 744 | #421 |
| 2011 | Girls | 535 | #544 |
| 2010 | Girls | 536 | #547 |
| 2009 | Girls | 524 | #580 |
| 2008 | Girls | 545 | #565 |
| 2007 | Girls | 599 | #522 |
| 2006 | Girls | 598 | #508 |
| 2005 | Girls | 513 | #558 |
| 2004 | Girls | 499 | #573 |
| 2003 | Girls | 514 | #544 |
| 2002 | Girls | 507 | #543 |
When Was Marilyn Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1947 · Girls
11,881 recorded births
National rank #29
1936 · Girls
11,064 recorded births
National rank #13
1954 · Girls
10,814 recorded births
National rank #35
1953 · Girls
10,742 recorded births
National rank #36
Where Marilyn Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| WI | #420 | 12 |
| MO | #516 | 11 |
| AL | #520 | 9 |
| IN | #542 | 12 |
| GA | #581 | 18 |
| OH | #592 | 17 |
| PA | #595 | 17 |
| MD | #600 | 8 |