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    The first name Marley

    A unisex name from English meaning “boundary”, “pleasant”, “marten”.

    Pronounced /ˈmɑ(ɹ)li/ 2 syllables Unisex Also a surname

    Meaning and origin

    English origin

    Marley means “boundary”, “pleasant”, “marten” in English.

    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”).

    From Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0).

    Popularity

    Babies registered in England and Wales, 1996–2025

    In 2025, 395 boys were named Marley, making it the 125th most popular boys’ name. It peaked in 2009, with 481 births (#124).

    0250500 1996200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    9,841
    babies named Marley, 1996–2025
    #125
    rank in 2025
    2009
    peak year

    Office for National Statistics; years with fewer than three births are not published and show as zero. Compare Marley with other names.

    Popularity in the United States

    Babies named Marley at birth, 1880–2025

    In 2025, 950 girls born in the United States were named Marley, the 322nd most popular girls’ name that year. It was used most in 2008, when 2,359 were.

    01,5003,000 188018851890189519001905191019151920192519301935194019451950195519601965197019751980198519901995200020052010201520202025
    GirlsBoys
    38,404
    babies named Marley since 1880
    #322
    rank in 2025
    2008
    peak year

    US Social Security Administration, from applications for a Social Security card. A name is only published for a year when at least five babies were given it, so quieter years show as zero.

    Nicknames and spellings

    Other spellings and forms

    Famous people named Marley

    3 on Wikidata, most written-about first

    • Marley Shelton
      American actress, born 1974
    • Marley Aké
      French and Ivorian association football player, born 2001
    • Marley Dias
      American activist and writer

    More English unisex names

    All 216 names of English origin

    Questions

    What does the name Marley mean?
    Marley means “boundary”, “pleasant”, “marten” in English.
    What is the origin of the name Marley?
    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 the name Marley?
    In 2025, 395 boys born in England and Wales were named Marley, ranking 125th. Its peak was 2009, with 481 births.
    Is Marley a boy's or a girl's name?
    Both. Of the 38,404 US babies named Marley since 1880, 86% were girls and 14% boys.
    When was Marley most popular?
    2008 in the United States, when 2,359 babies were named Marley, its highest rank at 145th.
    How do you pronounce Marley?
    Marley is /ˈmɑ(ɹ)li/, 2 syllables.
    What are other spellings of Marley?
    Marlee, Marleigh and Marly.
    Is Marley also a surname?
    Yes. Marley is used as a surname as well as a first name; its surname page has the origin and how many people carry it.