Boy · 316th of 6,773
Marlin
Meaning, origin and U.S. popularity at a glance
22,725
Total Births
145
Years of Data
1935
Peak Popularity Year
400
Peak Births
Generational story
Where Marlin stands across generations
Rankings for U.S. births from 2013 to 2024.
Based on the most recent three-year movement in the national data.
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Meaning, origin & U.S. popularity
Summary
Marlin is an English name derived from the Old French 'Merlin', associated with the sea. It has evolved linguistically from 'Merlin' to 'Marlin' and carries the meaning of 'sea' or 'ocean'. The name gained popularity in the 20th century, especially after its use in popular media, and is seen as friendly and adventurous. There is no biblical relevance associated with the name.
Etymology & cultural background Open the full meaning, origin, history, and variants
Etymology & Cultural Background
Pronunciation
/ˈmɑːrlɪn/
Origin
English
Etymology
The name Marlin is derived from the Old French name 'Merlin', which is believed to be a diminutive form of 'Meri', meaning 'sea' or 'ocean'. It is also associated with a type of fish known as the marlin.
Meaning
sea, ocean
Language Evolution
Merlin (Old French), Marlin (Modern English)
Historical Usage
The name Marlin gained popularity in the English-speaking world during the 20th century, particularly after the release of the animated film 'Finding Nemo' in 2003, which featured a character named Marlin.
Variants & Derivatives
Merlin, Marley
Modern Popularity & Image
Currently, the name Marlin is often associated with a friendly and adventurous image, primarily due to its connection with marine themes and popular culture.
Famous People
Marlin Brando, Marlin Perkins
Trend Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
3-Year Trend:
Stable
25-Year Trend:
Relatively Stable
Explore popularity by location
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Key Insights
Popularity Trend
Less Common name with 400 peak births in 1935
Geographic Spread
Popular across 39 US states, with strongest presence in South Dakota
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
Alternative spellings & similar sounds
Compare 14 names that share a similar pronunciation but use different spellings.
Historical Birth Statistics
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History
Full popularity table across American generations 14 generation and gender records
Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Recorded births |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 437th of 7545 | 2,987 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 316th of 6773 | 5,746 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 450th of 7552 | 5,241 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 603rd of 10718 | 2,911 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 949th of 16616 | 1,791 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 1561st of 24088 | 1,422 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 1952nd of 23106 | 927 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 5908th of 9107 | 31 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 2790th of 9204 | 188 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 3477th of 12526 | 225 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 4851st of 19264 | 180 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 4247th of 27321 | 350 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 4308th of 35406 | 507 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 7955th of 30306 | 166 |