Marilyn, of French origin, is a name that has been popularized by notable figures such as actresses Marilyn Monroe and Marilyn vos Savant. It means 'song of the sea' or 'song of the sea waves'. The name has gained significant popularity in English-speaking countries, with its peak usage being in the mid-20th century.
The name Marilyn experienced a significant peak in popularity during the late 1920s to early 1940s, with over 30 births each year from 1928 to 1940. However, it saw a steady decline afterward, dropping below 10 births per year by the mid-1950s and fluctuating between 5 to 16 births annually until the late 1970s. Since then, its usage has been quite rare, with only sporadic years registering more than 5 births.