Marlee Girl

Popularity: #441 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAR-lee //ˈmɑːrli//

Origin: English; Hebrew

Meaning: English: from the meadow; Hebrew: bitter

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Marlee is believed to have multiple linguistic roots, primarily deriving from the Old English name "Mearcwald," which means "boundary ruler." This name evolved over time, with variations appearing in different cultures. The name can also be linked to the Hebrew name "Miriam," which has been interpreted to mean "sea of bitterness" or "wished-for child." The transition into English likely occurred through the influence of Norman French after the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, where names were often adapted and modified to fit the phonetic and cultural contexts of the English language.

Historically, the name Marlee and its variants have been associated with various notable figures and events. While there are no specific saints or biblical figures directly linked to the name Marlee, its roots in names like Miriam connect it to significant religious narratives, particularly in Judeo-Christian traditions.

The name's presence in literature and historical texts can be traced back to the medieval period, where variations of the name appeared in various forms, reflecting the linguistic changes of the time. Culturally, names like Marlee have often been associated with strength and resilience, qualities that resonate through its etymological roots.

The name's connection to leadership and authority, as suggested by its Old English origins, has contributed to its enduring appeal. Additionally, diminutive forms such as "Marley" have emerged, further enriching the name's cultural tapestry.

The name's historical significance and its associations with strength and leadership have allowed it to maintain a presence in various cultural contexts.

Famous people named Marlee

In this section, you will find notable people named Marlee. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Marlee who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Marlee who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Marlee Matlin is an actress best known for Children of a Lesser God, The West Wing, and Switched at Birth.

Marlee Scott is a country music singer best known for her singles and albums in the country genre.

Fictional characters named Marlee

The following list of fictional characters named Marlee is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Marlee is a fictional character from the novel The Help by Kathryn Stockett. She is a young girl who forms a bond with the African American maids in her community, providing a unique perspective on the racial tensions of the time.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Marlee, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Marlee. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Marlee was first seen in the United States in 1915.

Marlee has ranked as high as #661 nationally, which occurred in 2008, and has been most popular in Texas, California, Georgia, Florida, and Ohio.

In the past 5 years the name Marlee has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Marlee is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Marlee was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Top States for Marlee (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. In some cases, you may see four or five states listed. However, we only display states where the name represents a significant percentage of births, so the number of states shown can range from one to several.

State Births Share
TX 42
8%
GA 32
6%
CA 29
5%
TN 29
5%
FL 29
5%
KY 26
5%
PA 23
4%
NC 23
4%
IN 22
4%
OH 22
4%
MN 17
3%
MO 16
3%
VA 16
3%
AL 16
3%
UT 15
3%

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Marlee.

YearBirths
2024602
2023608
2022696
2021683
2020713
2019697
2018654
2017647
2016708
2015695
2014676
2013651
2012571
2011549
2010581
2009791
2008890
2007364
2006359
2005332
2004305
2003283
2002244
2001230
2000219
1999220
1998219
1997174
1996207
1995183
1994219
1993303
1992216
1991169
1990154
1989120
1988108
198795
198645
198539
198414
198312
198216
198113
198011
197913
197818
197714
197613
197519
197424
197328
197213
197116
197022
196916
196820
196719
196626
196512
196416
196314
196214
196114
196015
195923
195824
195717
195619
195513
195420
195314
195220
195121
195023
194913
194825
194717
194612
194520
19448
194319
194215
194116
194013
193919
193814
193714
193610
19349
193311
19326
19315
19306
19155