Marlow Unisex
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAR-loh //ˈmɑːrloʊ//
Origin: English; Old English
Meaning: English: driftwood; Old English: mere (lake) + halh (nook)
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Marlow has its roots in Old English, derived from the elements "mere," meaning "lake" or "pond," and "leah," which translates to "clearing" or "meadow." This etymological combination suggests a geographical origin, likely referring to a settlement near a lake or a marshy area. The name appears in various forms throughout history, including as "Mereleah" in early records, which eventually evolved into the modern form Marlow.
The transition into English can be traced through the Norman influence on the English language following the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which introduced many Old French and Latin elements into English vernaculars, although Marlow itself retains a distinctly Anglo-Saxon character. Historically, the name Marlow is associated with the town of Marlow in Buckinghamshire, England, which dates back to at least the 12th century.
The town is notable for its picturesque setting along the River Thames and has been a site of historical significance, including connections to the poet Christopher Marlowe in the late 16th century. Marlowe, a contemporary of Shakespeare, contributed significantly to English literature, and his works have left a lasting impact on the cultural landscape.
The name has also appeared in various literary contexts, reinforcing its association with creativity and the arts. Culturally, Marlow evokes imagery of natural beauty and tranquility, resonating with themes of pastoral life and the English countryside.
The name's association with water and meadows may symbolize peace and serenity, making it a fitting choice for those seeking a name with a connection to nature. While diminutive forms or variations are less common, the name's historical roots and literary connections contribute to its enduring appeal across generations.
Fictional characters named Marlow
The following list of fictional characters named Marlow 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.
Marlow is a fictional character from the novella Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. He is the protagonist who journeys into the Congo River basin, exploring themes of imperialism and human nature.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Marlow, 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 Marlow. 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 Marlow was first seen in the United States in 1963.
Marlow has ranked as high as #1186 nationally, which occurred in 2024, and has been most popular in California, Texas, New York, Ohio, and Florida.
In the past 5 years the name Marlow has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Marlow 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 Marlow was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Top States for Marlow (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 15 | |
| TX | 14 | |
| WA | 11 | |
| UT | 7 | |
| CO | 6 | |
| IN | 6 | |
| NE | 6 | |
| NJ | 6 | |
| OH | 6 | |
| OK | 6 | |
| PA | 5 | |
| FL | 5 | |
| IA | 5 | |
| VA | 5 | |
| WI | 5 |
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 Marlow.
| Year | Births |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 174 |
| 2023 | 165 |
| 2022 | 126 |
| 2021 | 149 |
| 2020 | 92 |
| 2019 | 123 |
| 2018 | 88 |
| 2017 | 106 |
| 2016 | 93 |
| 2015 | 85 |
| 2014 | 62 |
| 2013 | 57 |
| 2012 | 35 |
| 2011 | 45 |
| 2010 | 32 |
| 2009 | 28 |
| 2008 | 26 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2002 | 5 |
| 2001 | 8 |
| 1992 | 5 |
| 1987 | 6 |
| 1986 | 5 |
| 1982 | 5 |
| 1981 | 6 |
| 1980 | 7 |
| 1979 | 5 |
| 1977 | 6 |
| 1976 | 9 |
| 1975 | 14 |
| 1974 | 10 |
| 1973 | 14 |
| 1972 | 10 |
| 1971 | 10 |
| 1970 | 11 |
| 1969 | 11 |
| 1968 | 7 |
| 1967 | 19 |
| 1966 | 9 |
| 1963 | 5 |