NameCensus.

UK name, mostly boys

Marlin

A masculine name meaning "little sea warrior".

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2023. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 7 girls.

Marlin is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Marlin popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2023 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3523, with 5 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2014, with 5 births.

This profile covers 17 England and Wales registrations across 4 recorded years from 2014 to 2023. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 17 living people in the UK are called Marlin. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2024 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Marlin ranked #3523 for boys in England and Wales in 2023, with 5 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 2014, when 5 boys were registered as Marlin.
  • Marlin is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
  • About 17 living people in the UK are estimated to have Marlin as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
  • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 70.8% of Marlin registrations are for boys.

Latest rank (E&W)

#3523

2023

Births in 2023

5

Latest year

Peak year

2014

5 births

Estimated living

17

2026

Gender

Boy and girl registrations for Marlin

In England and Wales birth records, Marlin has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 70.8% of registrations are for boys and 29.2% are for girls.

These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.

71% boys
29% girls
Boys17 (70.8%)Girls7 (29.2%)

Marlin registered for boys

  • Ranked #3,523 in 2023
  • 5 boys registered in 2023
  • Peak: 2014 (5 births)

Marlin registered for girls

  • Ranked #4,645 in 2022
  • 4 girls registered in 2022
  • Peak: 2022 (4 births)

Meaning

What does Marlin mean?

The name Marlin has its roots in the French language, dating back to the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Old French word "merlin," which means "little falcon" or "little hawk." The name may have originated as a nickname for someone with keen eyesight or a swift, bird-like demeanor.

In the 12th century, the name gained popularity through the famous Arthurian legend of Merlin, the powerful wizard and mentor to King Arthur. This legendary figure, often depicted as a wise and mystical figure, likely contributed to the name's enduring appeal and association with wisdom and magic.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Marlin can be found in the 13th century, when a French nobleman named Marlin de Beauvais was mentioned in historical records. In the 14th century, Marlin Ficin, an Italian philosopher and translator, was a renowned figure during the Renaissance period.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have borne the name Marlin. Marlin Fitzwater (1942-), an American journalist and former White House Press Secretary under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, is a prominent example. Marlin Perkins (1905-1986), an American zoologist and host of the popular television series "Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom," was another well-known figure.

In literature, Marlin Brando (1924-2004), the legendary American actor and cultural icon, was widely known for his iconic performances in films such as "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "The Godfather." Marlin Munitz (1923-2003), an American philosopher and university administrator, served as the president of the University of Houston and the University of California system.

Lastly, Marlin Gusman (1934-1986), a Cuban-American boxer and Olympic gold medalist, made his mark in the world of sports by winning the heavyweight boxing championship at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Marlin over time

The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Marlin in England and Wales, from 2014 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Marlin, the clearest high point is 2014. The latest England and Wales figure is 5 births in 2023, compared with 5 at the peak.

Babies born per year

BoysGirls
01345201420182023

Decades

Marlin by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Marlin was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #3523 5 1
2010s #4044 12 3

Related

Names similar to Marlin

FAQ

Marlin: questions and answers

How popular is the name Marlin in the UK right now?

In 2023, Marlin was ranked #3523 for boys in England and Wales, with 5 births registered.

When was Marlin most popular?

The peak year on record was 2014, with 5 babies registered as Marlin in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Marlin?

A masculine name meaning "little sea warrior".

How many people are called Marlin in the UK?

A total of 17 babies have been registered as Marlin across the 4 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.