Merrilyn is a feminine given name, a variant of Marilyn. The name Marilyn itself is a combination of Mary and the common name suffix lyn. It was very rare before the 20th century but gained popularity through stage star Marilyn Miller (1898–1936) and later through actress Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962). Merrilyn follows the same pattern, substituting the initial syllable with "Mer" instead of "Mar."Notable BearersNotable women named Merrilyn include Canadian actress Merrilyn Gann (born 1963), Australian mathematician Merrilyn Goos, Australian politician Merrilyn Rose (born 1953), and New Zealand politician Anne Merrilyn Tolley (born 1953). The name remains uncommon but is recognized as a distinct spelling variant.Variant FormsRelated forms include Maralyn, Marilyn, Marilynn, Marlyn, Marylyn, and Merilyn. Its root name is Mary.Meaning: Variant of Marilyn (combination of Mary and the suffix -lyn)Origin: EnglishType: First nameUsage Regions: English-speaking countries, especially Australia, Canada, New Zealand