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Marion

Girl name · 764 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Marion: 764 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 76 births in 1975.

The name Marion has deep roots, serving as a French diminutive of Marie, which itself comes from the Hebrew Maryam, a name of debated meaning often suggested to be "beloved" or "sea of bitterness." Historically, it was used for both genders, though it is now overwhelmingly feminine in Scotland and England. Perhaps its most famous bearer is the quasi-mythological Scottish outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor, whose wife was the courageous and long-suffering Helen Mary MacGregor, born Marion. The name also shares its root with many places named after the Virgin Mary. A further note: Marion was a popular boy’s name in medieval Scotland, but this usage faded entirely by the 20th century, making it a classic example of a name that switched genders.