Marlen
Every Marlen since 1915 — 6,438 of them. Popularity, births, and rankings for each year, from official Social Security records.
The story of Marlen
Marlen is rare for girls in the United States, ranked #3,626 in 2025 with 42 babies given the name. It is currently declining compared with a decade ago.
Since 1915, 6,438 American babies have been named Marlen — about 86% girls and 14% boys, making it a genuinely unisex name. Its peak came in 2003, when 272 newborns received the name — the signature sound of the 2000s.
The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Marlen stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.
Marlen year by year
Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.
| Year | Girls | Girls rank | Boys | Boys rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 42 | #3,626 | 6 | #11,514 |
| 2024 | 44 | #3,555 | — | — |
| 2023 | 44 | #3,558 | 5 | #13,455 |
| 2022 | 47 | #3,394 | — | — |
| 2021 | 52 | #3,144 | 5 | #13,374 |
| 2020 | 56 | #2,921 | 5 | #13,354 |
| 2019 | 53 | #3,073 | — | — |
| 2018 | 55 | #2,993 | 8 | #9,348 |
| 2017 | 55 | #3,002 | — | — |
| 2016 | 63 | #2,751 | — | — |
| 2015 | 62 | #2,836 | — | — |
| 2014 | 58 | #2,964 | — | — |
| 2013 | 80 | #2,321 | 9 | #8,530 |
| 2012 | 93 | #2,074 | — | — |
| 2011 | 116 | #1,766 | 5 | #13,621 |
| 2010 | 138 | #1,588 | 9 | #8,551 |
| 2009 | 170 | #1,394 | 8 | #9,567 |
| 2008 | 213 | #1,197 | 12 | #7,043 |
| 2007 | 263 | #1,008 | 5 | #13,678 |
| 2006 | 224 | #1,119 | 7 | #10,261 |
| 2005 | 230 | #1,041 | 11 | #6,936 |
| 2004 | 216 | #1,071 | 10 | #7,348 |
| 2003 | 259 | #918 | 13 | #5,772 |
| 2002 | 200 | #1,066 | — | — |
| 2001 | 184 | #1,138 | 10 | #6,767 |
| 2000 | 212 | #1,000 | 6 | #9,873 |
| 1995 | 138 | #1,240 | 17 | #3,792 |
| 1990 | 113 | #1,404 | 8 | #6,198 |
| 1985 | 39 | #2,524 | 6 | #6,244 |
| 1980 | 44 | #2,270 | 7 | #5,298 |
| 1975 | 25 | #2,928 | 13 | #3,018 |
| 1970 | 16 | #3,810 | 10 | #3,197 |
| 1965 | 10 | #4,389 | — | — |
| 1960 | 7 | #5,504 | 9 | #3,001 |
| 1955 | 5 | #6,398 | 11 | #2,513 |
| 1950 | — | — | — | — |
| 1945 | 6 | #4,355 | 12 | #2,088 |
| 1940 | — | — | 10 | #2,431 |
| 1935 | — | — | 18 | #1,693 |
| 1930 | — | — | 12 | #2,398 |
| 1925 | — | — | 16 | #2,053 |
| 1920 | — | — | 10 | #2,891 |
| 1915 | — | — | 9 | #2,747 |
| 1910 | — | — | — | — |
| 1905 | — | — | — | — |
| 1900 | — | — | — | — |
| 1895 | — | — | — | — |
| 1890 | — | — | — | — |
| 1885 | — | — | — | — |
| 1880 | — | — | — | — |
Famous people named Marlen
- Marlen Haushofer Writer · 1920–1970
- Marlen Khutsiev Film director · 1925–2019
Ranked by global fame across Wikipedia editions (Pantheon project, MIT).
Frequently asked questions
How popular is the name Marlen in 2025?
Marlen ranked #3,626 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, with 42 babies given the name, according to Social Security Administration data.
How many people are named Marlen?
6,438 babies have been named Marlen in the United States since 1915, based on Social Security card applications.
When was the name Marlen most popular?
Marlen peaked in 2003, when 272 newborns received the name.
Is Marlen a boy or girl name?
Marlen is used for both: about 86% of babies named Marlen have been girls and 14% boys.
Is the name Marlen rising or falling?
Marlen is declining — less popular now than a decade ago.
Who are famous people named Marlen?
Well-known people named Marlen include Marlen Haushofer (writer), Marlen Khutsiev (film director).