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Home › Baby Names Directory › Marion

Marion

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAR-yon /ˈmær.joʊn/Low

Meaning: French diminutive of Marie (Mary), from Hebrew Miryam; meaning debated, commonly 'beloved' or 'bitter'.Low

In 30 seconds: Marion is a French girl's name, a pet form of Marie (Mary). It goes back to the Hebrew Miryam, whose meaning is debated, often given as 'beloved' or 'bitter.'
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Origin LowFrench, Hebrew
MeaningFrench diminutive of Marie (Mary), from Hebrew Miryam; meaning debated, commonly 'beloved' or 'bitter'.
U.S. rank (2025)#2044 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births93 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1924
Total births (all-time)≈ 189,218

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192418802025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Marion began in French as a diminutive of Marie, which itself comes from the Hebrew Miryam. The meaning of that root name has long been argued, with 'beloved' and 'bitter' among the most common readings. As a Marie offshoot, Marion sits in one of the deepest naming traditions in Europe.

The -on ending gives it a gentle French close, and the name has been worn by both women and men over time. Bearers include the actress Marion Davies and the football player Marion Motley.

Did you know? The meaning usually attached to Marion comes through Marie/Mary and Hebrew Miryam, often rendered as 'beloved', 'bitter', or 'sea of bitterness', and that deep heritage is part of the name's long-term appeal.
Overall data confidence 55%
Behind the Name - Marion — etymology, usage, pronunciation, and related formsU.S. Social Security Administration — 2024 popularity rank and count supplied in the batch input CSV

Variations

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Nicknames

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Famous Bearers

  • ★Marion Motley (1920–1999)
    Football player.
  • ★Marion Davies (1897–1961)
    Female public figure listed on Behind the Name.

If you like Marion…

Marie— The parent name Marion was formed from, sharing the Miryam root.
Mary— The English form of the same Hebrew Miryam behind Marion.
Marian— A near-identical English relative built on the same Mary base.
Sharon— a fellow Hebrew choice
Zion— lands in the same popularity range

Explore names like Marion

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Marion mean?

Marion is a French diminutive of Marie/Mary; Mary derives from Hebrew Miryam, of debated meaning often given as 'beloved', 'bitter', or 'sea of bitterness'. It is most often linked with French and Hebrew tradition.

How do you pronounce Marion?

It's commonly said MAR-yon /ˈmær.joʊn/.

Is Marion a boy or girl name?

In this batch and in recent U.S. usage data, Marion is used as a girl name.

How popular is Marion?

In 2024, Marion ranked #1867 in the U.S. for girls, with 107 births recorded.

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