Marlyn
Meaning of Marlyn
Marlyn is a feminine given name originating in English as a variant orthography of Marilyn—itself a compound of Mary, the English form of the Hebrew Miriam denoting “bitter” or “beloved,” and Lynn, from the Welsh for “lake.” Pronounced MAR-lin (/ˈmɑr.lɪn/), it achieved its highest prevalence in the United States during the mid-20th century, attaining a position within the top 400 names in the 1930s and 1940s before subsequently declining and stabilizing near the 900th rank in recent years, with 19 occurrences recorded in 2024. Although often juxtaposed with its more ubiquitous counterpart Marilyn—epitomized by cultural icon Marilyn Monroe—Marlyn’s orthographic variation affords it a measure of individuality, rendering it a considered choice for parents seeking a name that marries traditional gravitas with contemporary subtlety.
Pronunciation
English
- Pronunced as MAR-lin (/ˈmɑr.lɪn/)
U.S. Popularity Chart
