Marley
Marley: name meaning, origin and popularity
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmɑ(ɹ)li/
Meaning and origin of Marley
Root meaning: “boundary”
- A male given name transferred from the surname.
- A female given name transferred from the surname.
Etymology
From several different places in England, from Old English mære (“boundary”) or myrig (“pleasant”) or mearþ (“marten”) + lēah (“woodland clearing”). In the first case, equivalent to mere (“boundary”) + -ley (“lea”).
How popular is Marley?
Since 1880, 33,045 girls and 5,359 boys in the U.S. have been named Marley (86% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #145 in 2008. Its highest rank for boys was #766 in 2008. In 2025 it ranked #322 for girls, with 1,081 babies given the name.
Names similar to Marley
Names that start with the same letters, most popular first.
More Surname unisex names
Sibling name ideas for Marley
Sister and brother names that share Marley's Surname roots and are still in the U.S. top 1,000.
Marley FAQ
What does the name Marley mean?
Marley traces back to a root meaning "boundary". A male given name transferred from the surname. A female given name transferred from the surname. From several different places in England, from Old English mære (“boundary”) or myrig (“pleasant”) or mearþ (“marten”) + lēah (“woodland clearing”). In the first case, equivalent to mere (“boundary”) + -ley (“lea”).
What is the origin of the name Marley?
Marley is listed as a name of Surname (transferred from a surname) origin.
How popular is the name Marley?
Since 1880, 33,045 girls and 5,359 boys in the U.S. have been named Marley (86% girls). Its highest rank for girls was #145 in 2008. Its highest rank for boys was #766 in 2008. In 2025 it ranked #322 for girls, with 1,081 babies given the name.
Is Marley a boy or girl name?
Marley is used for both boys and girls in the U.S. (33,045 girls and 5,359 boys since 1880).
Popularity data: U.S. Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880–2025 (names given to 5+ babies per year). Origin and etymology text: Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.