Is Marlin a boy's or girl's name?

Marlin is primarily a boy's name. It is also used as a girl's name, with 1,647 recorded births.

When was Marlin most popular?

Marlin reached its peak popularity in 1935 with 386 births that year. It is currently ranked #1940 in the U.S.

How popular is the name Marlin?

Marlin is currently ranked #1940 in the U.S. (2024). It has been given to 21,078 babies since 1884.

Marlin

An uncommon Old French pick — distinctive and rare.

Boy's name| Also girlsOld FrenchRising fast Also a pet name

#1940▼ 54in 2024

Meaning & Origin

A surname.

Marlin is a boy's and girl's baby name of Old French origin, derived from the Germanic name Merlin — itself from Myrddin in Welsh, meaning 'sea fortress' or associated with the legendary wizard of Arthurian legend. It is also the name of a large, fast ocean fish.

Marlin gained fresh pop culture currency as the name of Nemo's devoted father in Pixar's 2003 film Finding Nemo, but it had already logged over 21,000 U.S. births as a classic American name across the 20th century.

Compare Marlin with another name

Popularity Over Time

Marlin was #1576 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1940, but its charm endures.

Popularity by Decade

Decade-by-decade popularity data for Marlin
Decade	Births	Avg Rank	Trend
2020s	384	#1984	▼
2010s	779	#1883	▼
2000s	877	#1591	▼
1990s	1,094	#1093	—
1980s	1,125	#867	▼
1970s	1,838	#618	▼
1960s	2,093	#542	▼
1950s	2,881	#431	—
1940s	3,013	#362	▼
1930s	3,409	#295	▲
1920s	2,308	#394	▲
1910s	1,111	#506	▲
1900s	124	#758	▲
1890s	36	#886	▲
1880s	6	#928	—

Year-by-Year Data

View complete yearly data(131 years, 1884–2024)

Year-by-year popularity data for the name Marlin
Year	Births	Rank	Change
2024	81	#1940	-3 (-3.6%)
2023	84	#1886	+6 (7.7%)
2022	78	#1976	+5 (6.8%)
2021	73	#2031	+5 (7.4%)
2020	68	#2085	-6 (-8.1%)
2019	74	#1991	-12 (-14.0%)
2018	86	#1788	+7 (8.9%)
2017	79	#1865	+9 (12.9%)
2016	70	#2036	-12 (-14.6%)
2015	82	#1820	+1 (1.2%)
2014	81	#1835	+10 (14.1%)
2013	71	#1956	-15 (-17.4%)
2012	86	#1752	+5 (6.2%)
2011	81	#1791	+12 (17.4%)
2010	69	#1994	+2 (3.0%)
2009	67	#2065	-11 (-14.1%)
2008	78	#1870	-16 (-17.0%)
2007	94	#1647	-2 (-2.1%)
2006	96	#1548	-4 (-4.0%)
2005	100	#1467	+16 (19.0%)

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.

Marlin as a Girl's Name

While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Marlin has also been given to 1,647 girls in the U.S. since 1915.

#9967

Current rank

1,647

Total births

1991

Peak year

Compare Marlin as boy vs girl

Frequently Asked

Can Marlin be used for both boys and girls?

Yes, Marlin is used for both boys and girls. As a boy's name, it currently ranks #1940. As a girl's name, it ranks #9967.

Marlin has two lives

Marlin, the baby name

#1940boys

21,078 babies

Currently viewing

Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1884–2024) · Methodology