Marian

Meaning: Uncertain; possibly bitter or rebellious
Origin: Hebrew — Variant of Marion, a medieval diminutive of Mary

Nicknames: Marnie

Girl's name · #1103 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Popularity over time

Marian belongs to an older America first — it reached #64 back in 1924 — yet it still appears in today's records at #1103. About 142,000 girls have carried it since 1880. In all that time it has never once missed a year of the national records.

Across the states

See where Marian is more common.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 17 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Marian ranks in other countries and regions.

#186 in Mexico (2024) · #625 in Ecuador (2025) · #1,668 in Canada (2025) · #1,696 in Italy (2024) · #2,605 in England & Wales (2025) · #2,228 in Sweden (2024) · #3,022 in Austria (2024) · #6,141 in France (2021) · #894 in Ireland (2013) · #346 in Puerto Rico (2008) · #1,293 in Belgium (2004) · #545 in Norway (2001) and 2 more.

Famous Marians

Marian Anderson — African-American contralto (1897–1993)
Marian Seldes — American actress (1928–2014)
Marian Keyes — Irish writer (born 1963)
Marian Rivera — Filipina-Spanish actress (born 1984)
Marian Price — Former volunteer in the Provisional Irish Republican Army (born 1954)

In stories & tradition

Maid Marian — Love interest of the legendary outlaw Robin Hood in English folklore
Marian — Double Dragon character
Marian Halcombe — The Woman in White (musical stage work)

What Marians become

Among 2,618 notable people named Marian:

Scientists & scholars appear 1.36× more often than among typical names — e.g. Marian Stamp Dawkins, British biologist (born 1945).

Spellings & nicknames

About 70 girls a year are given Marnie as their full name.

Similar names: Maryann · Betty · Mariam · Sally · Maura · Mariela

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

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