The name Marilyn is of English origin and means "rebel" or "song of the sea". It was originally a surname derived from the Old English words "maer" meaning "sea" and "lin" meaning "lime tree". The name gained popularity in the mid-20th century due to the success of actress Marilyn Monroe, whose real name was Norma Jean Baker. Prior to her rise to fame, she legally changed her first name to Marilyn in 1946 before adopting the surname Monroe a year later. Despite its origins as a surname, Marilyn has since become widely recognized and used as a given name for females.
The name Marilyn has been a popular choice for parents in the United States over the past century, with a total of 4359 babies named Marilyn since 1918. The name first gained popularity during the 1920s and 1930s, with the highest number of births occurring in 1936 and 1937, when there were 118 and 117 births respectively.
However, the name's popularity began to decline after World War II, reaching its lowest point in 2023 with only 8 births. Despite this recent decrease, Marilyn remains a classic and timeless name that has been passed down through generations. It is worth noting that the name's popularity has fluctuated throughout history, with periods of high and low popularity.
Overall, the statistics demonstrate that while Marilyn may not be as popular today as it once was, it remains a beloved and enduring name choice for parents in the United States.