Find out how popular the first name Marlon has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Marlon by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Marlon is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Marlon being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 239 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Marlon.

The history of the first name Marlon

The name Marlon is a masculine given name of uncertain origin, with various theories proposed about its derivation and meaning. One theory suggests that it is a French variation of the name Merlin, which has its roots in the Brythonic language spoken in ancient Britain and is derived from the words "mer" meaning "sea" and "llyn" meaning "lake" or "pool."

Another theory links Marlon to the name Marlo, an Italian surname that may have originated from the Latin word "malleus," meaning "hammer." This connection could indicate an occupational name for someone who worked as a blacksmith or metalworker.

The name Marlon gained popularity in the early 20th century, possibly influenced by the legendary American actor Marlon Brando, who was born in 1924 and passed away in 2004. Brando's iconic performances in films such as "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "The Godfather" may have contributed to the widespread recognition and use of the name.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Marlon can be found in the 16th century, when it appears in the records of the English parish of Warwickshire. A notable bearer of the name in history was Marlon Brando Sr., the father of the famous actor, who was born in 1895 and died in 1965.

Other notable individuals with the first name Marlon include Marlon Wayans, an American actor, comedian, and writer born in 1972, known for his roles in films like "White Chicks" and "Scary Movie"; Marlon James, a Jamaican novelist born in 1970 and winner of the 2015 Man Booker Prize for his novel "A Brief History of Seven Killings"; and Marlon Blackwell, an American architect born in 1954, who has received numerous awards for his innovative designs.

While the exact origins of the name Marlon remain uncertain, its varied history and association with notable figures have contributed to its enduring popularity as a masculine given name.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Marlon was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Marlon, please contact us.

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