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Home › Baby Names Directory › Marlyn

Marlyn

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAR-lin /ˈmɑr.lɪn/High

Meaning: A spelling of Marilyn — a blend of Mary ('beloved; of the sea; bitter') and Lynn ('a lake'); used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layeredLow

In 30 seconds: Beloved + a lake: Marlyn spells Marilyn (Mary + Lynn). Crisp, classic, and warm. Used for both sexes (here for girls).
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Origin LowAmerican, Hebrew
MeaningA spelling of Marilyn — a blend of Mary ('beloved; of the sea; bitter') and Lynn ('a lake'); used for both sexes; here for girls; routes layered
U.S. rank (2025)#5653 ↗ Rising
2025 U.S. births22 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year1936
Total births (all-time)≈ 6,806

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 193619152025

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

Marlyn is a spelling of Marilyn — a blend of Mary, variously 'beloved; of the sea; bitter', and Lynn, Welsh 'a lake' (routes layered, which we note). A crisp, classic name, used for both sexes, here for girls (slug distinguished; nickname Mar).

It registers thinly in this spelling. Rare, beloved-plus-a-lake in echo, and crisp.

Did you know? Marilyn blends Mary ('beloved; of the sea') and Lynn ('a lake') — Marlyn is a streamlined spelling, crisp and classic, used for both sexes (here for girls; the routes are layered, which we note; said 'MAR-lin').
Overall data confidence 45%
References — Marilyn — routes layered

Variations

MarilynMarlinMarlyne

Nicknames

Mar

Famous Bearers

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If you like Marlyn…

Marilyn— the standard spelling
Carolyn— a sound-neighbor -lyn girls' name
Roselyn— another -lyn girls' name
Macklyn— shares Marlyn's American roots
Kamdyn— shares Marlyn's American roots

Explore names like Marlyn

By themeuncertainenglishcoinagehebrewunisex
By meaningLoveSea / Water

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Marlyn mean?

Marlyn spells Marilyn — a blend of Mary ('beloved') and Lynn ('a lake'); the routes are layered.

How do you pronounce Marlyn?

It's said MAR-lin /ˈmɑr.lɪn/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Marlyn a boy or girl name?

Marlyn is used for both sexes; this page covers its use as a girl's name.

How popular is Marlyn?

Marlyn is a rare name in the U.S.

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