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Home › Baby Names Directory › Marlow

Marlow

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAR-loh /ˈmɑːr.loʊ/Low

Meaning: Drained lake, lake remnantsLow

In 30 seconds: Marlow is a cool English place-name-turned-surname-turned-given-name, meaning drained lake from Old English. With its gender-neutral appeal and literary associations, it has grown as a stylish modern name for both boys and girls.
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Origin LowEnglish
MeaningDrained lake, lake remnants
U.S. rank (2025)#1167 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births199 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2025
Total births (all-time)≈ 1,903

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202519632025

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

Marlow derives from the Old English maere-lafe meaning lake remnants or drained lake. It was a place name in Buckinghamshire before becoming a surname. Christopher Marlowe the Elizabethan playwright (born 1564) is the most famous historical bearer, though he spelled his surname with an e.

Marlow has grown as a given name in the United States in the 2010s, particularly for girls, fitting the trend of two-syllable place-name surnames used as first names. Its gender-neutral quality gives it crossover appeal.

Did you know? Marlow is a picturesque market town on the River Thames in Buckinghamshire, England, and it was the surname of the playwright Christopher Marlowe — adding literary depth to this place-inspired name.
Overall data confidence 90%
Behind the Name: Marlow

Variations

MarloweMarloMarloew

Nicknames

MarMarlo

Famous Bearers

  • ★Marlow Cook (1926-2016)
    American politician who served as a U.S. Senator from Kentucky

If you like Marlow…

Harlow— Same -low ending and similar gender-neutral appeal
Lennox— Two-syllable place-name with same modern feel
Sawyer— Gender-neutral place-surname as first name
Winslow— a similarly popular pick
Meadow— another English name

Explore names like Marlow

By thememodernenglishunisextwo-syllableplace-nameliterary
By meaningSea / Water

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Frequently Asked

What does Marlow mean?

Marlow means drained lake or lake remnants, from the Old English maere-lafe, originally a place name in Buckinghamshire, England.

Is Marlow a boy or girl name?

Marlow is a gender-neutral name used for both boys and girls in the United States.

How do you pronounce Marlow?

Marlow is pronounced MAR-loh, with two syllables.

What are similar names to Marlow?

Names similar to Marlow include Harlow, Marlo, Lennox, and Sawyer.

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