Marion: Name Meaning, Origin & Popularity

At a Glance: Name: Marion – Meaning: diminutive of Marie (female); surname-derived (US male) – Origin: Old French (fem., diminutive of Marie); English surname (masc., US) – Gender: Unisex – Pronunciation: MARE-ee-un


Marion is an Old French (fem., diminutive of Marie); English surname (masc., US) unisex name meaning “diminutive of Marie (female); surname-derived (US male)”. It appears in 4 of our baby name lists.

Meaning & Origin of Marion

Meaning: Diminutive of Marie (female); surname-derived (US male).

Origin: Old French (fem., diminutive of Marie); English surname (masc., US).

A common claim: Said to mean 'bitter' (via Mary). Actually: 'Bitter' recycles Mary's disputed Hebrew root; Marion itself is simply a diminutive of Marie (or an unrelated surname for the male use), not a direct translation.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Marion

Phonetic: MARE-ee-un   IPA: /ˈmæriən/

Popularity of Marion

Source: U.S. Social Security Administration birth-name data, 1880–2024.

Lists That Include Marion

Similar Names

Loretta · Faye · Rose · Greta · Lily · Vivian

More Baby Name Inspiration