Holding steady.
Popularity of Marionette since 1924
Babies named Marionette per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 7 |
| 1930s | 5 |
| 1940s | 24 |
| 1950s | 35 |
| 1960s | 32 |
| 1970s | 0 |
| 1980s | 0 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Marionette is an extraordinarily rare given name in the United States. It was first recorded in 1924, but has never appeared in the top 1000 since the Social Security Administration began tracking ranks. Its peak year was 1964, and its trajectory has been stable, with no recent revival. The name is overwhelmingly limited to girls. Its primary burden is the strong association with puppets, which makes it a distinctive but challenging choice. Parents drawn to its French diminutive charm may prefer the more established Marion or Marianne.
Marionette is a diminutive of Marion, itself a medieval French diminutive of Marie (Mary). The name's association with puppets dates to the 17th century, when string-operated puppets were called marionettes, literally "little Maries," possibly from figures of the Virgin Mary used in Nativity plays. As a given name, it remains rare but occasionally appears, especially in the 20th century.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mari, Nette, Ria
Sibling names for Marionette
Names that share Marionette's style, for a brother or sister.
