Marilyn vs Theodore

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

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

Marilyn Rank #666
Theodore Rank #4

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 vs #666 for Marilyn.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Marilyn ___

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

Theodore ___

  • Theodore James
  • Theodore William
  • Theodore Alexander
  • Theodore John
  • Theodore Henry
  • Theodore Arthur

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Marilyn

Dorothy Patricia Beverly Richard James

If you choose Theodore

Olivia Charlotte Amelia Eleanor Oliver

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 Marilyn or Theodore more popular?

Theodore is more popular, ranked #4 compared to Marilyn at #666 in the United States.

What do Marilyn and Theodore mean?

Marilyn means "beloved, wished-for child (from Hebrew Miriam via Mary)" (Hebrew via Latin origin). Theodore means "divine gift" (Greek origin).

Are Marilyn and Theodore boy or girl names?

Marilyn is primarily a girl name. Theodore is primarily a boy name.

More Comparisons

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