Marilyn
2025 SSA
Below 5 births
About Marilyn
For a name that was in the Top 20 for a whole decade – the 1930's – Marilyn has attained the status of almost a one-person name. Just say the name Marilyn, and most people will know who you mean. Yet strangely enough, though Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jean and renamed in tribute to earlier star Marilyn Miller) was the sex symbol of her generation, very little stardust adhered to her name. In fact, when Mariah Carey wished to honor the star in her daughter's name, she chose to call her Monroe rather than Marilyn.
There have, however, been a number of other notable Marilyns, including opera singer Horne, novelist French and lyricist Bergman--not to mention male musician Marilyn Manson (nee Brian). Actress Kim Novak was born Marilyn.
The meaning of Mary is uncertain, but theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).
Marilyn is also given to boys.
Pronounced MAR-uh-lin.
As of October 2026, Marilyn ranked #761 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #13 in 1937, Nameberry popularity #897.
Popularity & trends
Data table
| Year | US rank · girls | Births · girls | US rank · boys | Births · boys |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | #404 | 797 | — | 0 |
| 2015 | #426 | 748 | — | 0 |
| 2016 | #490 | 634 | — | 0 |
| 2017 | #531 | 585 | — | 0 |
| 2018 | #607 | 498 | — | 0 |
| 2019 | #634 | 467 | — | 0 |
| 2020 | #634 | 457 | — | 0 |
| 2021 | #707 | 407 | — | 0 |
| 2022 | #698 | 422 | — | 0 |
| 2023 | #742 | 378 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | #666 | 432 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | #761 | 356 | — | 0 |
World rankings
Marilyn for girls
Similar names
These 20 names were selected by our users looking for other names like Marilyn.
Marilyn on lists
Famous Marilyns
- Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson/Baker)Girl
iconic American actress
- Marilyn Pauline "Kim" NovakGirl
American actress
- Marilyn ChambersGirl
stage name of Marilyn Ann Briggs, American adult film actress
- Marilyn HorneGirl
American opera singer
- Marilyn MesekeGirl
Miss America 1938
- Marilyn BuferdGirl
Miss America 1946
- Marilyn McKnightGirl
Miss America 1958
- Marilyn DenisGirl
Canadian TV host
- Marilyn (Keith) BergmanGirl
American songwriter
- Manfrey Lecta "Marilyn" DukeGirl
American pop singer
- Marilyn Miller (born Mary Ellen Reynolds)Girl
American actress
- Marilyn McCooGirl
American actress and singer of The 5th Dimension
- Marilyn BorderGirl
American actress; twin of sister Roz Borden
- Marilyn FrenchGirl
American feminist author
- Marilyn Tucker QuayleGirl
Second Lady of the U.S. as wife of VP Dan Quayle
- Marilyn vos SavantGirl
American advice columnist and record holder for highest IQ
- Marilyn (Rovell) WilsonGirl
Rutherford, American singer; first wife of musician Brian Wilson; mother of singers Carnie and Wendy Wilson
- Marilyn MansonGirl
stage name of Brian Hugh Warner, American male singer
- MarilynGirl
stage name of Peter Robinson, Jamaican,British male singer
- Marilyn LimaGirl
French actress
Marilyn in pop culture
- Marilyn TrumanGirl
character on TV's "Will & Grace"
- Marilyn SudorGirl
character on TV's "Boston Public"
- Marilyn LovellGirl
character in film "Apollo 13"
- Marilyn WhirlwindGirl
character on TV's "Northern Exposure"
- Marilyn NesbitGirl
one time character in Law and Order: SVU
- MarilynGirl
a Paper Mario The Thousand Year Door character
- Marilyn MunsterGirl
character in the TV show "The Munsters"