US Popularity Rank: 24038

Origin: Welsh

Meaning: Drop of the sea; Bitter; Beloved

Marilou originated in Wales as a variant of Mari, which in itself is a variant of Mary, meaning "drop of the sea," "bitter," or "beloved." A modern take on a modern take, Mari soared in popularity in the mid-20th century, initially as a nickname for Mary, before developing into Marilou. Marilou Bourdon was one of the first to take it mainstream when she burst onto the music scene at just 12 years old. In 2002, the French-Canadian pop singer and author's first single, "Je serai la pour toi," went to number one, and her debut album went gold. Marilou was instantly beloved by everyone who saw and heard her, the kind of reaction baby Marilou will soon enjoy.