"driftwood"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Marlowe
Pronunciation: [ m-AHRL-oh ]
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A literary surname turned stylish first name
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The Story of Marlowe
Marlowe originates as an English surname derived from the Old English mere (lake) and hlaw (hill), meaning hill by the lake. It gained fame as the surname of Renaissance playwright Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593), author of Dr. Faustus and Tamburlaine. As a given name, it began transitioning to girls in the 2010s, riding the wave of literary surname-names.
Marlowe surged as a girls name in the early 2010s, with actress Sienna Miller and actor Tom Sturridge naming their daughter Marlowe in 2012, bringing significant media attention to the name.
The name carries strong literary associations through Christopher Marlowe, often considered Shakespeare's greatest contemporary. This gives it intellectual cachet among literary-minded parents seeking a name with genuine historical gravitas.
Historical Record
Marlowe first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 4,126 babies have been named Marlowe in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Marlowe is rising quickly in popularity , currently ranked #624 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593) was Shakespeare's most significant contemporary playwright and some scholars believe he contributed to Shakespeare's works
- The name also evokes the hard-boiled detective Philip Marlowe from Raymond Chandler's classic noir novels
Marlowe in Other Languages
French
Marlowe
German
Marlowe
Italian
Marlowe
Spanish
Marlowe
Japanese
Maroo
Popularity Over Time
#624
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Rising Fast
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Marlowe
M
Marlowe Sturridge
Other
2012
Daughter of actress Sienna Miller and actor Tom Sturridge, whose naming helped popularize Marlowe for girls
C
Christopher Marlowe
Writer
1564
Elizabethan playwright and poet, author of Doctor Faustus and Tamburlaine the Great, Shakespeare's greatest contemporary
P
Philip Marlowe Fictional
Other
Raymond Chandler's iconic fictional private detective, appearing in The Big Sleep (1939) and other classic noir novels
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #624
- Total SSA Count
- 476
- Cultural Origins
- English American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mar
Marlo
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Marlowe
5 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sounds Like Marlowe
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Also a Boy Name
Marlowe is also used as a boy name, ranked #2781.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Marlowe
What does the name Marlowe mean?
"driftwood" (from Old English). Marlowe originates as an English surname derived from the Old English mere (lake) and hlaw (hill), meaning hill by the lake. It gained fame as the surname of Renaissance playwright Christopher Marlowe (1564-1593), author of Dr. Faustus and Tamburlaine. As a given name, it began transitioning to girls in the 2010s, riding the wave of literary surname-names.
What is the origin of the name Marlowe?
Marlowe has Old English, English, and American origins. In Old English, it means "driftwood".
Is Marlowe a boy or girl name?
Marlowe is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #624. As a boy name, it is ranked #2781. Marlowe is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Marlowe?
Marlowe is pronounced m-AHRL-oh.
How popular is the name Marlowe?
Marlowe is currently ranked #624 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Marlowe?
Common nicknames for Marlowe include Mar and Marlo.
What are good middle names for Marlowe?
Popular middle name pairings include Marlowe Jane, Marlowe Rose, Marlowe Grace, Marlowe Quinn, and Marlowe Sage.
What are good sibling names for Marlowe?
Names that pair well with Marlowe as siblings include Beckett, Sullivan, Flynn, Scout, and Harper.
How many syllables does Marlowe have?
Marlowe has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Marlowe a common or rare name?
Marlowe is moderately common, ranked #624 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Marlowe?
Browse all middle names, sibling names, or similar names.
About the Name Marlowe
Marlowe is a girl name with English and American origins . The name means "driftwood" in Old English .
Is Marlowe a boy or girl name? Marlowe is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #624 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #2,781. Marlowe is more commonly used as a girl name.
Marlowe is currently ranked #624 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Marlowe has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-AHRL-oh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Marlowe include Mar and Marlo. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Marlowe include Marley, Marlee, Marleigh, Marlow, Marlene . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis