Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Marlon

Marlon is a name with unknown origins. It was popularized by American actor Marlon Brando (1924-2004) who achieved stardom in the 1950s. Marlon Brando was named after his father Marlon Brando, Sr. There’s no record of why or how the father-son duo were named Marlon. Perhaps Marlon Senior was named after his mother (Marie Belle) by taking the first suffix of her name “Mar-“ and combining it with the masculine French diminutive suffix “-lon”. Or else the name comes from the French “merle” (“blackbird”) with the diminutive “-lon” suffix to mean “little blackbird”. These are our best guesses. In any case, Marlon Brando, Jr. made a name for himself in American films starting with his portrayal as Stanley Kowalski in “A Streetcar Named Desire” (1951); Johnny Strabler in “The Wild One” (1953), and Terry Malloy in “On the Waterfront” (1954) not to mention his iconic performance in 1972's “The Godfather”. Brando is a eight-time Academy Awards nominated actor and a two-time winner. His “method-acting” technique, his raw performances and his mumbled voice (not to mention his handsome good looks) distinguished him from the pack. Today Marlon Brando remains a pop-culture icon much in the same vein as Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.

All About the Baby Name – Marlon

Personality

OF THE BOY NAME MARLON

The number one personality is a leader - strong and competitive. They are willing to initiate action and take risks. One personalities work hard toward their endeavors and have the ability to apply their creative and innovative thinking skills with strong determination. They believe in their ability to succeed and are too stubborn to be hindered by obstacles. Ones meet obstacles head-on with such mental vigor and energy that you better step aside. They resent taking orders, so don't try telling them what to do either. This is an intensely active personality, but they are also known as starters rather than finishers. They have a propensity to become bored and will move quickly to the next project if not properly challenged.  They are the ones to think up and put into action new and brilliant ideas, but they are not the ones to stick around and manage them. This personality has an enthusiastic and pioneering spirit. They are distinctly original.

Popularity

OF THE BOY NAME MARLON

This never before used name of unknown origin did not appear on the American male naming charts until 1950. Marlon Brando was slowly becoming a household name at this point when he achieved notice as a Broadway stage actor in Tennessee William’s play “A Streetcar Named Desire” (1948-1949). Shortly thereafter he took Hollywood by storm. Between 1951 and 1955 the name Marlon jumped a whopping 600+ positions on the charts in five short years – all influenced by the actor known for his “animal magnetism”. After the 1950s, Marlon gave his first name another push on the charts in the 1970s thanks to his portrayal as Vito Corleone (“The Don”) in “The Godfather”. In fact, 1972 marks the name’s best year ever on the charts at position #218. It is also a name that’s been embraced within the African-American community (e.g., Marlon Jackson, Marlon Wayans, Marlon Byrd, Marlon Jordan). After the early 70s, however, Marlon began his slow and quiet descent down the charts. Today the name is perhaps too associated with icons of the past. Regardless, Marlon (like Merlin) are cute and charming names; underused by today’s standards and a solid original choice. Marlon especially gives us a sense of masculinity mixed with sensitivity.

Quick Facts

ON MARLON

GENDER:

Boy

ORIGIN:

African-American

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

711

PRONUNCIATION:

MAHR-lәn

SIMPLE MEANING:

Little blackbird

Characteristics

OF MARLON

Independent

Individualistic

Ambitious

Strong-willed

Inventive

Successful

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Marlon

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME MARLON

We cannot find any significant literary characters by the name of Marlon

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME MARLON

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Marlon


Popular Songs

ON MARLON

I’m Stuck in a Condo (with Marlon Brando)
a song by The Dickies

Goodbye Marlon Brando
a song by Elton John

Famous People

NAMED MARLON

Marlon Brando (actor)
Marlon Wayans (comic/actor)
Marlon Byrd (baseball player)
Marlon Jackson (member of the Jackson 5)
Marlon Maxey (basketball player)
Marlon Jordan (jazz musician)

Children of Famous People

NAMED MARLON

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Marlon

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME MARLON

Marlon Brando, Jr. is considered to be one of the most important actors of the American stage and screen in the twentieth century, as well as a very healthy sex symbol. Often associated with Lee Strasberg and The Method School of acting, he consistently denied its having had any influence on him, and instead gave credit to Stella Adler and the Stanislavski System. Marlon gained initial stardom in the role of Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire, the 1951 reprise of the Tennessee Williams play he had debuted on Broadway in 1947. His smoldering good looks and tough-guy persona seemed to be a shell masking an infinitely tender and sensitive man inside, as epitomized in his work in On The Waterfront in 1954. Some of Marlon’s most famous roles were in such movies as Guys and Dolls, Mutiny on the Bounty, Apocalypse Now, Last Tango in Paris, Superman, and of course, The Godfather. Nominated several times for the Academy Awards, he finally won for this film in 1972, and famously sent a Native American woman in his place to decline the prize. Marlon’s off-screen life was every bit as dramatic as his on-screen, as he married and divorced several times, fathered 12 children, and supported his son during the latter’s trial for killing Brando’s daughter’s boyfriend. His daughter later committed suicide and his son, Christian, died at age 49. Marlon espoused many social causes over the years, particularly on behalf of Native Americans and African Americans, and was quite obviously not a mainstream kind of guy. Once the epitome of dangerous cool, Marlon famously gained an immense amount of weight in his later years, and appeared in many forgettable roles. Nonetheless, when one says “Marlon”, one thinks only of Brando – his legacy is undeniably permanent and extraordinary. No doubt about it – he was a contender!