as a First Name
Elaboration of Mary, with the addition of the productive suffix -lyn (see Lynn). It is recorded in the 18th century, possibly as a blend of Mary and Ellen, but first came into regular use in the 20th century, peaking in the 1940s and 50s. Since then its use has been surprisingly moderate, considering the enduring popularity of the film star Marilyn Monroe (1926–62), baptized Norma Jeane Baker.
| 141st in the U.S. for 2011 |
Nicknames & variations
Marilynn, Marilynne, Marillyn, Marilena, Marilyne, Marilene, Marilin, Mariellen, Marielena, Mariaelena
Quick facts
- Hundreds of thousands
- of people in the U.S have this name
- 350,247
- to be exact (as of February 2011)
- 362,744
- if you include dead people (since the government started keeping track)
- Iowa
- has the most people named Marilyn per capita
- 1936
- marked the height of its popularity
99.98%
0.02%
78%
55+
55+
16%
30-54
30-54
2%
13-29
13-29
3%
0-12
0-12
Top state populations
U.S. Distribution Map
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