An uncommon pick — distinctive and rare.
A male given name.
Marlon is a boy's and girl's baby name of uncertain origin, possibly a variant of Merlin or derived from Old French roots related to the name Mark, meaning 'little falcon' or 'warlike.'
The name is forever linked to Marlon Brando, the legendary actor who brought raw, magnetic charisma to roles in The Godfather and A Streetcar Named Desire. His influence gave the name a cool, artistic edge it still carries today.
Marlon was #522 twenty years ago and has since drifted to #1084, but its charm endures.
| Decade | Births | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 1,095 | ▼ |
| 2010s | 3,138 | ▼ |
| 2000s | 4,567 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 4,550 | ▲ |
| 1980s | 4,528 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 7,068 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 2,802 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 2,226 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 303 | ▲ |
| 1930s | 245 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 195 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 42 | — |
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 200 | #1084 |
| 2023 | 240 | #942 |
| 2022 | 225 | #993 |
| 2021 | 213 | #1029 |
| 2020 | 217 | #983 |
| 2019 | 260 | #856 |
| 2018 | 262 | #848 |
| 2017 | 291 | #793 |
| 2016 | 284 | #813 |
| 2015 | 277 | #819 |
| 2014 | 319 | #745 |
| 2013 | 327 | #718 |
| 2012 | 340 | #699 |
| 2011 | 367 | #638 |
| 2010 | 411 | #607 |
| 2009 | 382 | #651 |
| 2008 | 455 | #569 |
| 2007 | 467 | #551 |
| 2006 | 509 | #509 |
| 2005 | 479 | #514 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
While overwhelmingly a boy's name, Marlon has also been given to 336 girls in the U.S. since 1923.
Last updated May 2026 · Data: U.S. Social Security Administration (1914–2024) · Methodology