Marlin

Meaning: Sea hill
Origin: Welsh — Variant of Merlin

Boy's name · #1788 in the US (2025) · Timeless

Popularity over time

Few names move less than Marlin — on the books since 1884, #1788 in 2025, and dependable in between. Roughly 21,000 boys have carried the name since.

Across the states

In recent years, Marlin ran about 4× its national rate in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 6 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Marlin ranks in other countries and regions.

#1,149 in Austria (2025) · #1,438 in Switzerland (2025) · #2,599 in Ecuador (2025) · #5,137 in England & Wales (2025) · #17,088 in Italy (2024) · #2,812 in Canada (2021).

Famous Marlins

Marlin Perkins — American zoologist (1905–1986)
Marlin Stutzman — American politician (born 1976)
Marlin Klein — German-American football player (born 2002)
Marlin Briscoe — American football player (1945–2022)
Marlin Fitzwater — American journalist (born 1942)

In stories & tradition

Marlin — Finding Dory (film)

What Marlins become

Among 63 notable people named Marlin:

Sports figures appear 2.13× more often than among typical names — e.g. Marlin Klein, German-American football player (born 2002).

Similar names: Merlin · Carmen · Marlow · Blair · Mervin · Ervin

Browse more boy names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service