StorkWorldstorkworld com

Marlowe vs Wren

Which is more popular?
Wren is more popular than Marlowe today: about 1,331 US babies were given the name Wren in 2025, compared with 575 named Marlowe.
MarloweWren
Meaning remnants of a drained lake (place name) small songbird (the wren)
Origin english english
Gender Unisex Unisex
Pronunciation MAR-loh REN
Syllables 2 1
First appeared19181888
Peak year2025 (575)2022 (1,609)
In 20255751,331
TrendNear its peakRising
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Marlowe Wren
1900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

DecadeMarloweWren
2020s 2,327 8,023
2010s 1,872 4,477
2000s 250 677
1990s 77 169
1980s 68 101
1970s 68 77
1960s 35 44
1950s 6 58
1940s 38 5
1930s 33 0
1920s 25 0
1910s 6 5
1880s 0 5

What does Marlowe mean?

An English habitational surname from Marlow in Buckinghamshire, from Old English 'mere' (lake, pool) + 'laf' (remnants, leavings), i.e. marshy ground left after a lake was drained. Often loosely glossed 'driftwood'. It also recalls the Elizabethan playwright Christopher Marlowe.

What does Wren mean?

A nature name taken directly from the English word for the small, energetic songbird, from Old English 'wrenna'. It also exists as an English surname. Its use as a first name is modern.

Frequently asked questions

Is Marlowe or Wren more popular?

Wren is more popular than Marlowe today: about 1,331 US babies were given the name Wren in 2025, compared with 575 named Marlowe.

What is the difference between Marlowe and Wren?

Marlowe means remnants of a drained lake (place name) (english origin), while Wren means small songbird (the wren) (english origin).

Which name is older, Marlowe or Wren?

In US records, Marlowe first appears in 1918 and Wren in 1888, so Wren has the longer recorded history.