National Marilyn Day is observed on August 17. It celebrates everyone bearing the name Marilyn. Marilyn is a combination of the English given names Mary and Lynn. Marie entered the English language through the Latin translation ‘Stella Maris’ (translating to “star of the sea”). Marie later morphed into Mary. The common suffix — lyn comes from the Old English word for ‘lake.’ A final etymology of Marilyn combines Mary with the Anglo-Saxon word ‘hlynn’ (torrent). In this interpretation, the name Marilyn means “tempestuous sea.” The first record of the name Marilyn is Marilyn Spencer Foster born in 1510 in England. The name began to be used increasingly in the 1920s, and it achieved its peak of popularity in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Several variants of the name exist, including Marylyn, Maralyn, Marelyn, Marilynn, Marillyn, Marlyn, Marrilyn, Merilyn, Merrelyn, and Merrilyn.
History of National Marilyn Day
Undoubtedly, one of the most iconic people to bear the name Marilyn is the American actress, singer, and model, Marilyn Monroe. She was famous for playing comedic “blonde bombshell” characters. Monroe became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and early 1960s and was the epitome of the era’s sexual revolution.Her early life was pitted with struggles. She spent most of her childhood in foster homes and an orphanage. Marilyn also had a speech impediment — stuttering — that plagued her speech for two years in high school.Despite this, she rose to incredible fame. Starting with a pin-up modeling career which led to short-lived film contracts with 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures, she moved to a series of minor film roles.Performances such as “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” (1953), “How to Marry a Millionaire” (1953), and “There’s No Business Like Show Business” (1954), made her fame grow steadily and spread worldwide. Marilyn quickly became the object of unprecedented popular adulation.In 1962 she began filming the comedy “Something’s Got to Give.” However, she was frequently ill and thus absent from the set. In May she traveled to New York City for a gala where she famously sang ‘Happy Birthday Mr.President’ to President John F. Kennedy. It was alleged that Monroe was having an affair with the president. In June, Monroe was fired from the film.Although she was later rehired, work never resumed. After several months of living in seclusion, Monroe died from an overdose of sleeping pills in her Los Angeles home. Due to her history of drug use and previous suicide attempts, her death was ruled a “probable suicide.”However, some people believed that she had been killed after threatening to reveal her relationship with the Kennedy brothers (President Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy). Others theorized that she had information linking the two men to organized crime.
National Marilyn Day timeline
Marilyn Monroe is born.
Marilyn Monroe aged just 16, marries her first husband James Dougherty to avoid returning to an orphanage.
American author Marilyn Singer's first book, “The Dog Who Insisted He Wasn't,” is published.
Swimmer Marilyn Ramenofsky is inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
National Marilyn Day FAQs
How many kids did Marilyn Monroe have?
Marilyn Monroe did not have any children.
Could Marilyn Monroe have kids?
Marilyn reportedly suffered three miscarriages.
What is the symbol for the name Marilyn?
Symbols for Marilyn include the rosa mystica and the lily.
National Marilyn Day Activities
-
Watch a Marilyn movie
Marilyn Monroe starred in numerous films which became big hits. Invite your friends over for a Marilyn movie night marathon to celebrate the day.
-
Learn some history
Discover more about the name Marilyn. There are numerous notable characters throughout history with this name.
-
Show appreciation
Is anyone named Marilyn in your circles? Hug them and let them know that you value them.
5 Interesting Facts About The Name Marilyn
-
An award-winning athlete
American competition swimmer Marilyn Ramenofsky set new world-record times for the 400-meter freestyle thrice in 1964.
-
From water to the air
Former swimmer Marilyn Ramenofsky currently works at U.C. Davis studying the migration of birds.
-
Not so popular
Marilyn was the 636th most popular baby girl name in 2020 according to the Social Security Administration index.
-
Pet names
Some nicknames for the name Marilyn include Mari, Lynn, Lynnie, and Mimi.
-
A star's struggle
Marilyn Monroe struggled with stuttering at various points in her life but overcame it with the help of a speech therapist.
Why We Love National Marilyn Day
-
We celebrate prominent people
This day acknowledges famous actors, singers, athletes, visual artists, poets, politicians, and writers named Marilyn. It's a day to celebrate their lives and achievements.
-
We learn history
The name Marilyn has a rich history. This day is perfect for learning more about it from its origins until today.
-
It's a day of fun
National Marilyn Day is one of celebration. We acknowledge all Marilyns around the globe with merriment and cheer.
National Marilyn Day dates
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2023 | August 17 | Thursday |
2024 | August 17 | Saturday |
2025 | August 17 | Sunday |
2026 | August 17 | Monday |
2027 | August 17 | Tuesday |