Meaning, origin, history
The name Marilyn is of English origin and means "rebel" or "song of the sea". It was originally a surname derived from the Old English words "maer" meaning "sea" and "lin" meaning "lime tree". The name gained popularity in the mid-20th century due to the success of actress Marilyn Monroe, whose real name was Norma Jean Baker. Prior to her rise to fame, she legally changed her first name to Marilyn in 1946 before adopting the surname Monroe a year later. Despite its origins as a surname, Marilyn has since become widely recognized and used as a given name for females.
In numbers
Popularity of the name Marylin since 1880
Total births
4,359
Total since 1880
Peak year
1943
122 births
in 2023
8
Recent births (5 years)
5-year trend
-28%
↘
vs previous 5 years