Marylou

“sea of bitterness”

American origin · Girl name

♂ 3% boys♀ 97% girls

#5204US 2023

25Births / yr

↓Falling

13kAll-time births

📅 Since 189800.03% of births at peak

How to pronounce Marylou

MAR·ee·loo

/ˈmær.iː.luː/ · stress on MAR · 3 syllables

“sea of bitterness”

American origin · Girl name

What does Marylou mean and where does it come from?

Marylou is a compound name combining Mary and Lou. Mary is derived from the Hebrew name מִרְיָם (Miryam), which means 'bitterness' or 'sea of bitterness', while Lou is often a diminutive of names like Louise or Louis, meaning 'renowned warrior'. The name Mary has a long history, being associated wit

Cultural significance

Marylou has been a cherished name across cultures, particularly in American-speaking communities, where it reflects values of sea of bitterness.

Peak popularity

Reached #350 in 1937 — currently #5204 in the US.

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What middle names flow best with Marylou?

Marylou works best with short, strong middle names — one or two syllables keep the full name from becoming a mouthful

Marylou Grace

How popular is Marylou right now?

Falling — down 86 spots — currently #5204 in the US out of 135.5k tracked names

US Trend 1900–2023#5204 · Top 3.8%

1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

1990

1995

2000

2005

2010

2015

2020

2021

2022

2023

Year	US Rank	Births	vs Prior Year
2023	#5204	25	▼ down 86 · -4% births
2022	#5118	26	▲ up 969 · +30% births
2021	#6087	20	▼ down 449 · -5% births
2020	#5638	21	▼ down 342 · -16% births
2015	#5296	25	▲ up 696 · +14% births
2010	#5992	22	▲ up 1173 · +38% births
2005	#7165	16	▼ down 2616 · -38% births
2000	#4549	26	▼ down 1180 · -21% births
1995	#3369	33	▼ down 196 · -6% births
1990	#3173	35	▼ down 1583 · -53% births
1985	#1590	75	▲ up 1290 · +142% births
1980	#2880	31	▼ down 911 · -31% births
1975	#1969	45	▼ down 708 · -49% births
1970	#1261	88	▼ down 371 · -31% births
1965	#890	127	—

Name Popularity Timeline

Popularity Statistics for Marylou

Best Year1935Rank #367

Peak Count300

Average Rank#2584

Current Trend↘Falling

Data Range1900 - 202328 years

The story of Marylou

Marylou has been a beloved American name for over 126 years, first appearing in Social Security records in 1898. A total of 12,984 babies have received this name. Once ranked #2132 in 1900, the name has become less common in recent years, sitting at #5204 in 2023.

Names that peaked alongside Marylou in 1937:

Mary Barbara Patricia Shirley Betty

Marylou by decade

Marylou peaked in the 1930s. See all 1930s names →

Decade	Births
1890s	12
1900s	54
1910s	314
1920s	1,252
1930s	2,621
1940s ★	3,140
1950s	2,126
1960s	1,598
1970s	537
1980s	517
1990s	356
2000s	209
2010s	227
2020s	21

What are good nicknames for Marylou?

Common

MarMaArylou

What names sound and feel like Marylou?

Based on sound, origin, and style — parents who love Marylou also consider these

American · Princess, beloved

Nancylou

American · Graceful and beloved

Carollou

American · English

Emmylou

American · A blend of

Amy-lou

Hebrew · A Hebrew name

How is Marylou written in other languages?

Common questions about the name Marylou

What does the name Marylou mean?

Marylou means "sea of bitterness" — a name rooted in American tradition that carries both historical depth and timeless appeal. The meaning reflects values that have made this name endure across generations.

How popular is the name Marylou?

Marylou is currently a distinctive and less common name as a girl name in the US and is rapidly gaining popularity — searches for Marylou have increased significantly in recent years.

What is the cultural origin of Marylou?

Marylou originates from American tradition. American names tend to carry strong cultural heritage and have spread across the world through migration, literature, and religion over centuries.

How do you pronounce the name Marylou?

Marylou is a three-syllable name pronounced M AE1 R IY0 L UW0. The pronunciation is straightforward for English speakers, and the name reads clearly on paper — an important practical consideration for parents.

What sibling names go well with Marylou?

Marylou pairs beautifully with sibling names that share a similar American heritage or complement its melodic and flowing sound. Names with a similar vibe create a cohesive sibling set without matching too closely.