Marlin Boy

Popularity: #848 · Trend: ↗ Rising

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAR-lin //ˈmɑːr.lɪn//

Origin: English; Latin

Meaning: English: little hawk; Latin: from the sea

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Marlin has its roots in the Old French name "Marlin," which is derived from the Latin name "Marinus," meaning "of the sea" or "marine." The Latin term "marinus" itself comes from the earlier Proto-Indo-European root *mori-, which relates to the sea or water. This etymological journey reflects the significance of the sea in various cultures, particularly in regions where maritime activities were central to life and livelihood.

The name entered the English language during the Middle Ages, a period marked by the influence of Norman culture and language following the Norman Conquest of England in the 11th century. Historically, the name Marlin does not have prominent figures or events directly associated with it, unlike other names derived from Latin or Old French.

However, its connection to the sea has made it a symbol of exploration and adventure, resonating with the maritime traditions of various cultures. The name may also evoke associations with the marlin fish, a species known for its speed and agility, which further emphasizes the characteristics of strength and resilience.

While there are no specific saints or biblical figures named Marlin, the broader cultural significance of names related to the sea is evident in various literary and artistic works throughout history. In terms of cultural resonance, the name Marlin embodies a sense of adventure and connection to nature, particularly the ocean.

This connection has been celebrated in literature and folklore, where the sea often symbolizes mystery and exploration. The name's association with the marlin fish also contributes to its appeal, as the fish is often seen as a symbol of sport and challenge in fishing communities.

Overall, Marlin carries a rich etymological heritage that reflects its maritime roots and the enduring human fascination with the sea.

Famous people named Marlin

In this section, you will find notable people named Marlin. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Marlin who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Marlin who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Marlin Brando is an actor best known for The Godfather, A Streetcar Named Desire, and On the Waterfront.

Marlin Perkins was a television host best known for Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.

Fictional characters named Marlin

The following list of fictional characters named Marlin is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Marlin is a fictional character from the animated film Finding Nemo. He is a clownfish who embarks on a journey across the ocean to find his son, Nemo.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Marlin, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Marlin. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Marlin was first seen in the United States in 1884.

Marlin has ranked as high as #575 nationally, which occurred in 1935, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, Texas, Ohio, California, and Minnesota.

In the past 5 years the name Marlin has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Marlin is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Marlin was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Marlin.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 104 90 14
2024 93 83 10
2023 103 85 18
2022 90 78 12
2021 84 73 11
2020 77 68 9
2019 87 74 13
2018 95 86 9
2017 95 79 16
2016 86 70 16
2015 99 82 17
2014 92 81 11
2013 95 71 24
2012 118 86 32
2011 112 81 31
2010 95 69 26
2009 90 67 23
2008 119 78 41
2007 128 94 34
2006 136 96 40
2005 131 100 31
2004 123 85 38
2003 122 93 29
2002 117 80 37
2001 133 97 36
2000 115 88 27
1999 118 95 23
1998 130 98 32
1997 143 116 27
1996 124 101 23
1995 135 114 21
1994 141 112 29
1993 143 119 24
1992 134 108 26
1991 156 114 42
1990 144 117 27
1989 144 116 28
1988 145 125 20
1987 120 100 20
1986 104 86 18
1985 117 106 11
1984 120 108 12
1983 141 124 17
1982 135 120 15
1981 138 121 17
1980 127 119 8
1979 136 127 9
1978 153 141 12
1977 162 155 7
1976 176 166 10
1975 163 156 7
1974 238 226 12
1973 208 198 10
1972 250 238 12
1971 262 249 13
1970 193 182 11
1969 173 161 12
1968 203 180 23
1967 180 173 7
1966 234 221 13
1965 234 219 15
1964 235 226 9
1963 226 212 14
1962 242 223 19
1961 256 246 10
1960 245 231 14
1959 249 240 9
1958 302 289 13
1957 292 277 15
1956 299 288 11
1955 303 293 10
1954 350 337 13
1953 300 295 5
1952 314 306 8
1951 283 268 15
1950 297 289 8
1949 294 283 11
1948 311 297 14
1947 332 316 16
1946 336 325 11
1945 287 280 7
1944 230 219 11
1943 343 331 12
1942 319 302 17
1941 363 345 18
1940 328 315 13
1939 379 369 10
1938 355 343 12
1937 362 346 16
1936 348 337 11
1935 400 386 14
1934 329 324 5
1933 350 340 10
1932 362 350 12
1931 311 302 9
1930 312 312 0
1929 265 265 0
1928 291 280 11
1927 258 251 7
1926 245 237 8
1925 241 241 0
1924 242 237 5
1923 196 196 0
1922 219 219 0
1921 210 210 0
1920 172 172 0
1919 188 183 5
1918 182 182 0
1917 164 164 0
1916 155 155 0
1915 134 128 6
1914 97 97 0
1913 79 79 0
1912 74 74 0
1911 35 35 0
1910 14 14 0
1909 15 15 0
1908 19 19 0
1907 9 9 0
1906 12 12 0
1905 9 9 0
1904 16 16 0
1903 7 7 0
1902 15 15 0
1901 11 11 0
1900 11 11 0
1899 6 6 0
1898 8 8 0
1897 7 7 0
1893 9 9 0
1891 6 6 0
1884 6 6 0

Top States for Marlin (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
PA 13
39%
OH 12
36%
IN 8
24%