Given name & surname
Marlin
“resembling a little hawk”
Marlin is a variant of Marlon. One English interpretation is “resembling a little hawk.” Its derivation is not certain. In English use, Marlin has a related form in Merlin. One Welsh interpretation is “of the sea fortress; in Arthurian legend, the wizard and mentor of King Arthur.”
Meaning & origin
What it means
Marlin is a variant of Marlon. One English interpretation is “resembling a little hawk.” Its derivation is not certain. In English use, Marlin has a related form in Merlin. One Welsh interpretation is “of the sea fortress; in Arthurian legend, the wizard and mentor of King Arthur.”
Explained through its name family
Where it comes from
Marlin is a variant of Marlon. A possible origin is French, although the derivation remains uncertain. Marlin is a variant of Marlene. An origin associated with Marlene is German. In English use, Marlin has a related form in Merlin. Merlin has been associated with Welsh and Celtic naming traditions.
Explained through its name family
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 1884. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin. In English use, Marlin has a related form in Merlin. The history of Merlin gives this family its wider story. Merlin’s literary history includes the stories of King Arthur and his knights.
Combines direct and name-family evidence
Marlin through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 22,834
- 21,172 boys · 1,662 girls
- Most popular year
- 1935
- 400 babies
- 2025
- 104
- #1,788 for boys · #7,748 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- +8%
- Steady
Boys, girls and both
The balance of boys and girls given this name has shifted over time. Recent births are 86% boys.
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 90 U.S. birth records for boys, ranking No. 1,788 among boys’ names. Average annual use for boys was 8.5% higher in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. Its largest published annual count for boys was 386 in 1935. It also appeared in 14 birth records for girls in 2025. In 2025, Pennsylvania had the largest reported state-level birth count for boys with this name (13). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 15,488 as a first name in 2020; 4,780 as a surname in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Marlin’s family of names
Marlin has a related form in Marlene. Marlin has a related form in Marlon. In English usage, Marlin has a conventional equivalent in the German form Markus.
Inner ring: spellings · middle: nicknames and forms · outer: across languages.
Around the world
Marlin has relatives in 3 languages.
3 related names in 3 languages. Point at a dot, or tab to the map and use the arrow keys.
Nicknames & forms 4
Diminutives, pet forms, short forms and variants used alongside the name.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Across languages 6
Equivalents and cognates in other languages, plus older forms it grew from.
People named Marlin
- Marlin StutzmanAmerican politicianborn 1976
- Marlin PerkinsAmerican zoologist1905–1986
- Marlin KleinGerman-born American football player (born 2002)
- Marlin SkilesAmerican composer (1906-1981)
- Marlin HurtAmerican entertainer (1905-1946)
Listed by how widely each person is written about, which says nothing about the name itself.
Similar names
If you love Marlin, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Merlen
Merlen is a variant of Merlin. One Welsh interpretation is “of the sea fortress; in Arthurian legend, the wizard and mentor of King Arthur.”
>99% boys
Alfred
“one who counsels the elves”
>99% boys
Billy
“the determined protector” · “having a desire to protect”
96% boys · 4% girls
Arlen
“a solemn, binding promise”
80% boys · 20% girls
Marvin
“a friend of the sea”
>99% boys
Mervyn
“a friend of the sea”
>99% boys
Edmund
“a wealthy protector”
>99% boys
Leroy
“the king”
>99% boys