Marilu
A girl's name of Hebrew origin with 2,263 recorded U.S. births.
Meaning & Origin
Parents who choose Marilu tend to be looking for something that feels real but not common — a name with 2,263 recorded births and a peak of 55 in 1991, enough history to feel legitimate without being ordinary.
The open, approachable ending gives Marilu a flowing quality that carries well in both casual and formal settings.
In the most recent SSA release, Marilu ranks #7432 among U.S. girl names — distinctive enough to stand out.
Marilu is a girl's baby name of Hebrew origin, a compound of Mary (from the Hebrew Miryam) and Lu (a short form of Louise, from the German Chlodowig), meaning 'beloved famous warrior' or an affectionate Mary compound used in Italian and Hispanic communities.
With over 2,263 recorded births, Marilu is used in Italian and Hispanic communities as a warm compound. Marilu Henner (born 1952), the American actress known for playing Elaine Nardo on the sitcom Taxi (1978–1983) and for her extraordinary autobiographical memory (one of only 12 people known to have Highly Superior Autobiographical Memory), is the name's most recognizable American bearer. A name of warm Italian-American family tradition.
EtymologyShow more
In the American context, Marilu is a girl's name with over a century of recorded use (1919–2024). Its Hebrew roots connect it to a broader naming tradition, but in practice, American usage often reshapes names — adding nicknames, shifting pronunciation, and building new associations that diverge from the original cultural context.
Today, Marilu is an active part of the American naming landscape (ranked #7432), continuing to accumulate its own cultural meaning with each new child who carries it.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Marilu was #5893 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #7432, but its charm endures.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 72 | #7915 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 181 | #7234 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 282 | #4892 | ▼ |
| 1990s | 443 | #2947 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 373 | #2702 | ▲ |
| 1970s | 225 | #3321 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 167 | #3292 | ▼ |
| 1950s | 196 | #2601 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 136 | #2901 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 116 | #2660 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 67 | #3859 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 5 | #5290 | — |
The Story of Marilu
A Millennial name
Peaking in 1991, Marilu is a Millennial-era classic. Girls named Marilu are most likely born between 1981 and 2001.
How rare is Marilu?
Only about 1 in every 240,000 babies born in 2024 was named Marilu — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1919, gained momentum through the mid-century, peaked in the 1990s with 443 births that decade, and has since become a rare, vintage choice.
Marilu by the numbers
- Would fill 47 school buses
- Meeting one Marilu per day would take 6.2 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(103 years, 1919–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15 | #7432 |
| 2023 | 17 | #6824 |
| 2022 | 11 | #9422 |
| 2021 | 18 | #6581 |
| 2020 | 11 | #9316 |
| 2019 | 11 | #9508 |
| 2018 | 16 | #7294 |
| 2017 | 13 | #8603 |
| 2016 | 23 | #5737 |
| 2015 | 14 | #8279 |
| 2014 | 28 | #4980 |
| 2013 | 23 | #5767 |
| 2012 | 18 | #7054 |
| 2011 | 22 | #6070 |
| 2010 | 13 | #9050 |
| 2009 | 22 | #6235 |
| 2008 | 27 | #5388 |
| 2007 | 27 | #5331 |
| 2006 | 35 | #4228 |
| 2005 | 31 | #4447 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When was Marilu most popular?
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Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1919–2024