Marian

Marian arose as a medieval English contracted form of Marion, itself a French diminutive of Marie, which derives ultimately from the Hebrew name Miriam, whose meaning is debated but possibly means beloved or wished-for child. The feminine form became widely used in the English-speaking world, aided in part by the legendary figure Maid Marian, the companion of Robin Hood in English folklore. As a masculine name, Marian developed independently in Polish, Czech, Romanian, and Slovak traditions as a Latinized derivative of Marius, an ancient Roman family name of uncertain origin, possibly connected to Mars, the Roman god of war. Related forms include Marion, Maria, Marianna, and Marianus.