Marlon is a name of uncertain origin; it may be a variant of Marion and is often explained as "little falcon", though neither reading is certain. Actor Marlon Brando, who inherited the name from his father, made it famous worldwide, and Marlon Jackson and Marlon Wayans kept it in the spotlight. In the United States Marlon ranked number 507 in 2000, peaked at number 503 in 2001 and has drifted to number 1105 in 2025.