Marlin

English, meaning unknown

"sea fortress"

Marlin Origin and Meaning

The name Marlin is a boy's name.

Marlin is a masculine name with multiple origins and meanings. It derives primarily from English surname traditions, originally denoting someone who lived near a small lake (mere) or possibly from the bird name 'merlin.' The name also inevitably brings to mind the marlin fish, a powerful ocean predator known for its strength and fighting spirit. Marlin gained modest popularity in the United States during the mid-20th century but remains relatively uncommon. The name carries associations with nature, the sea, and rugged independence. It combines traditional masculine qualities with distinctive character, making it appeal to parents seeking a name with strong imagery and outdoor connections without being overly common.

Marlin Rank in US Top 1000

# 984 in the US

Popularity of the name Marlin

• 1925 Nameberry 2025
• 913 Unique 2023
• 470 Unisex 2023
• 476 Germany 2016

20 Names Similar to Marlin

These 20 names were selected by our users that were looking for other names like Marlin.

• Mel
• Whitney
• Lambert
• Marx
• Osman
• Dino
• Radcliff
• Sherwood
• Roth
• Cordell
• Fleming
• Schuyler
• Gil
• Davenport
• Forster
• Fairbanks
• Costello
• Hansel
• Evelyn
• Doyle

Famous People Named Marlin

• Marlin Perkins American zoologist, host of TV's "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom"
• Marlin Stutzman U.S. Congressman from Indiana
• Marlin Jackson American football player

The name Marlin in Pop Culture

• Marlin character in movie "Finding Nemo"
• marlin a type of fish