Kate vs Marilyn

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Kate

Girl #535 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"pure, clear"

Origin: Greek

Cultural Roots

English American Irish British Australian

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#535
Total SSA Count
569
Syllables
1
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Katie, Kay

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Kate →

Marilyn

Girl #666 Most Popular 3 Syllables

Meaning

"beloved, wished-for child (from Hebrew Miriam via Mary)"

Origin: Hebrew via Latin

Cultural Roots

American English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#666
Total SSA Count
432
Syllables
3
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Mari, Lyn, Lynn

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Marilyn →

Popularity Comparison

Kate Rank #535
Marilyn Rank #666

Kate is more popular, ranked #535 vs #666 for Marilyn.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Kate ___

  • Kate Elizabeth
  • Kate Louise
  • Kate Amelia
  • Kate Rose
  • Kate Alexandra
  • Kate Anne

Marilyn ___

  • Marilyn Jane
  • Marilyn Rose
  • Marilyn Grace
  • Marilyn Ann
  • Marilyn Claire
  • Marilyn Sue

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Kate

William Henry Emma Charlotte George

If you choose Marilyn

Dorothy Patricia Beverly Richard James

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kate or Marilyn more popular?

Kate is more popular, ranked #535 compared to Marilyn at #666 in the United States.

What do Kate and Marilyn mean?

Kate means "pure, clear" (Greek origin). Marilyn means "beloved, wished-for child (from Hebrew Miriam via Mary)" (Hebrew via Latin origin).

Are Kate and Marilyn boy or girl names?

Kate is primarily a girl name. Marilyn is primarily a girl name.

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← Full profile: Kate ← Full profile: Marilyn Browse all baby names