About the name Marlin
Marlin is a boy name with Proto-Brythonic roots, literally “sea-hill”. It is related to Merlin, which is where the meaning comes from.
It has a unique, nature feel. In 2025, Marlin ranked #1788 for boys in the US, with 90 babies given the name. Its peak year since 1940 was 1941. Since 2000, 78% of US babies named Marlin were boys.
Etymology
A variant of Merlin, which comes from Proto-Brythonic, meaning literally “sea-hill”.
Name meaning adapted from Wiktionary (“Marlin”, “Merlin”) by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- US rank 2025
- #1788
- In 2015
- #1820
- Babies in 2025
- 90
Popularity of Marlin, 1940–2025
Latest SSA data: 2025.
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration national baby names (public domain; names given to at least 5 babies of one sex per year).
Hello, world
Marlin
Your last name
born on your big day
7 LB 4 OZ · 20 IN
The Baby Kit
See Marlin on a birth announcement
Birth announcements, shower invitations, nursery wall art and milestone cards, all personalized with Marlin. Type your details once and print at home or at any print shop.
Names similar to Marlin
Name meanings marked or linked “Wiktionary” are adapted from Wiktionary by Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; each name page links its source entry.