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NamyLab

Marilyn

female
Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Sea; Star"

Modern English formation influenced by Mary and Lynn elements; exact meaning is uncertain, though usage surged in twentieth-century Anglophone contexts.

Themes:moderncompoundnameenglishuncertain
CelestialCosmicNatureNatural

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Marilyn

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#666Top 1000
SSA did not record this spelling in the national rankings for the available chart years. Names used fewer than 5 times in a year are omitted from the dataset.

Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
Unranked

Marilyn did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
--

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Marilyn Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Marilyn.

10 ideas
Marie
Nickname
Mari
Nickname
mari
Nickname
mary
Nickname
ma
Nickname
mo
Nickname
rily
Nickname
ilyn
Nickname
my
Nickname
mie
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Marilyn

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Marilyn, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

25 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Marilyn mean?
Marilyn means "Sea; Star". Modern English formation influenced by Mary and Lynn elements; exact meaning is uncertain, though usage surged in twenti
What is the origin of Marilyn?
Marilyn is of English origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Marilyn?
According to the latest SSA data, Marilyn is currently ranked #666 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Marilyn a girl name?
Marilyn is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Marilyn?
Popular nicknames for Marilyn include Marie, Mari, mari, mary, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Marilyn?
There are many names similar to Marilyn in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginEnglish
Syllables3
Length7 letters
US Rank#666
Trend→ Stable
Starts withM

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Marilyn

Marilyn has English roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our English baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Marilyn appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Names That Mean Ocean for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Water for Boys and Girls and Names That Mean Star.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Marilyn pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Marilyn beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.