Marilyn

Meaning of Marilyn

Marilyn is thought to mean "star of the sea" or "bitter, but beloved". It is a combination of Mary and Lynn.

Marilyn has German roots — browse every German baby name in our catalog.

Popularity of Marilyn

Marilyn has cooled off, slipping to #761 in 2025, down from a peak of #373 in 2013.

Notable people named Marilyn

• Marilyn Monroe
  Iconic actress and model
• Marilyn Manson
  Musician, singer, songwriter
• Marilyn vos Savant
  Columnist, author, lecturer
• Marilyn Horne
  Opera singer
• Marilyn McCoo
  Singer and actress

More German names

Questions about the name Marilyn

What does the name Marilyn mean?

Marilyn means marilyn is thought to mean "star of the sea" or "bitter, but beloved". it is a combination of mary and lynn, and it comes from German origins.

Is Marilyn a boy's or a girl's name?

Marilyn is most commonly used as a girl's name in the United States.

How popular is the name Marilyn?

In 2025, Marilyn ranked #761 for girls, down from #666 the year before.

When was Marilyn most popular?

Marilyn peaked at #373 in 2013.