StorkWorldstorkworld com

Wren vs Marlowe

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.
WrenMarlowe
Meaning small songbird (the wren) remnants of a drained lake (place name)
Origin english english
Gender Unisex Unisex
Pronunciation REN MAR-loh
Syllables 1 2
First appeared18881918
Peak year2022 (1,609)2025 (575)
In 20251,331575
TrendRisingNear its peak
Popularity over time, 1880–2025
Wren Marlowe
1900192019401960198020002020

Source: US Social Security Administration.

Births by decade

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

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

Is Wren or Marlowe 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 Wren and Marlowe?

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

Which name is older, Wren or Marlowe?

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