Marlowe is a name of English origin, derived from the Old English word "mer" meaning sea, and "lēah" meaning clearing or meadow. Thus, Marlowe's literal meaning is "sea meadow." However, it has also been suggested that Marlowe might be a variant of the Welsh surname Merfyn.
The name Marlowe first gained prominence in the literary world due to its association with the Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe. Born in Canterbury, England in 1564, Marlowe was a contemporary of William Shakespeare and is considered one of the most influential figures in English literature. His works include the tragedy "Doctor Faustus" and the historical drama "Edward II," among others.
While Marlowe is not a particularly common name today, it has been used throughout history. Records show that it was used as both a given name and surname in England during the Middle Ages. In more recent times, notable individuals named Marlowe include American musician Jim Morrison's son, who was also named after Christopher Marlowe.
In summary, Marlowe is a name of English origin with a literal meaning of "sea meadow." Its most significant association is with Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe, though it has been used as both a given name and surname throughout history. Despite not being extremely common today, Marlowe remains a distinctive and meaningful choice for parents looking for unique baby names.
It appears that the name Marlowe experienced a significant surge in popularity from the late 20th century onwards, with the highest number of births recorded being 365 in 2022. Before this period, the number of annual births was relatively low and fluctuating, with fewer than 10 births per year from 1947 to 1989. The name's popularity began to increase around the late 1980s and early 1990s, eventually reaching its peak in recent years.