Marlow
Primarily a boy's name of Old English origin with 2,133 recorded births. Also given to 1,704 girls.
Meaning & Origin
A common placename: A locality in the Central Coast council area, eastern New South Wales, Australia. A town and civil parish with a town council on the River Thames in southern Buckinghamshire, England, previously in Wycombe district . A village in Leintwardine parish, Herefordshire, England . An unincorporated community in Dunklin County, Missouri, United States. A town in Cheshire County, New Hampshire, United States. A city in Stephens County, Oklahoma, United States. An unincorporated community in Anderson County, Tennessee, United States.
Marlow is a girl's and boy's baby name of Old English origin, from the English town on the Thames, meaning 'remnants of a lake' or 'land remaining after a lake drainage,' from Old English mere (lake, pool) and lafe (remnant, leaving).
Marlow has a literary elegance — playwright Christopher Marlowe, Joseph Conrad's narrative voice Marlow in Heart of Darkness, and the riverside Thames town all contribute to its layered identity. As a girl's name, it has the relaxed sophistication of names like Monroe and Harlow — vintage, cinematic, and surprisingly fresh.
EtymologyShow more
Phonetically, Marlow belongs to a cluster of names characterized by their sharp, distinct ending — ending on a consonant gives it a firm, clear close. At two syllables, it has a two-beat rhythm that is easy to call across a room and natural in conversation.
Within the Old English naming tradition, names with similar sound structures often share underlying etymological patterns. Exploring Old English names on this site may surface connections that illuminate Marlow’s linguistic neighborhood.
At a Glance
Popularity Over Time
Marlow climbed 4857 spots in the last 20 years — from #7347 to #2490.
Popularity by Decade
| Decade | Births | Avg Rank | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 246 | #2783 | ▲ |
| 2010s | 240 | #4584 | ▲ |
| 2000s | 135 | #6149 | ▲ |
| 1990s | 102 | #6387 | ▼ |
| 1980s | 163 | #3128 | ▼ |
| 1970s | 345 | #1601 | ▲ |
| 1960s | 168 | #2142 | ▲ |
| 1950s | 158 | #2103 | ▲ |
| 1940s | 138 | #2178 | ▼ |
| 1930s | 220 | #1510 | ▲ |
| 1920s | 132 | #2667 | ▲ |
| 1910s | 86 | #2369 | — |
The Story of Marlow
A Gen Alpha name
Peaking in 2021, Marlow is a fresh, modern favorite. Boys named Marlow are most likely born between 2011 and 2024.
How rare is Marlow?
Only about 1 in every 65,455 babies born in 2024 was named Marlow — a truly uncommon choice.
The journey through the decades
First appeared in the records in 1910, grew steadily over the decades, peaked in the 1970s with 345 births that decade, and remains solidly popular today.
Marlow by the numbers
- Would fill 44 school buses
- Meeting one Marlow per day would take 5.8 years
Year-by-Year Data
View complete yearly data(114 years, 1910–2024)
| Year | Births | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 55 | #2490 |
| 2023 | 58 | #2377 |
| 2022 | 49 | #2698 |
| 2021 | 58 | #2365 |
| 2020 | 26 | #3983 |
| 2019 | 43 | #2883 |
| 2018 | 35 | #3281 |
| 2017 | 19 | #5044 |
| 2016 | 23 | #4419 |
| 2015 | 19 | #4996 |
| 2014 | 17 | #5395 |
| 2013 | 26 | #3926 |
| 2012 | 11 | #7374 |
| 2011 | 22 | #4452 |
| 2010 | 25 | #4068 |
| 2009 | 19 | #5041 |
| 2008 | 14 | #6293 |
| 2007 | 17 | #5347 |
| 2006 | 17 | #5226 |
| 2005 | 18 | #4757 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration. Showing years with 5+ recorded births.
Marlow as a Girl's Name
Marlow is a true unisex name. As a girl's name, it has 1,704 recorded births since 1963.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Marlow a boy's or girl's name?
When was Marlow most popular?
How popular is the name Marlow?
Can Marlow be used for both boys and girls?
Explore More
Data source: U.S. Social Security Administration, 1910–2024