Marlin is a name of French origin, meaning 'sea pike'. It's composed of two elements: 'mar' meaning 'sea', and 'lein' which refers to the species of fish known as the sea pike. The name Marlin has gained popularity in English-speaking countries due to its strong and distinctive sound, often associated with strength and power.
The name Marlin experienced significant fluctuations in popularity over the years. It peaked in the late 1960s to early 1970s with a high of 22 births in 1968, and again reached notable heights in the late 1980s to mid-1990s with a peak of 42 births in 1991. However, since around the year 2000, its popularity has steadily declined, with fewer than 20 births per year recorded in recent years, including just 12 births in 2022 and 18 births in 2023. Overall, there have been a total of 1637 births named Marlin since 1915.