Unisex nameCurrently #287 in the USFalling
Marley
MAR-lee//ˈmɑːrli//
2 syllablesPeak year: 20086 lettersStarts with M
Meaning & origin
Pleasant meadow near the lake
Marley comes from an English place-name and surname describing a pleasant meadow near a lake or boundary. Its easy, musical sound and association with reggae legend Bob Marley have helped it become a popular unisex-leaning choice.
Marley's popularity over time
| Year | Births named Marley |
|---|---|
| 1914 | 7 |
| 1915 | 8 |
| 1916 | 7 |
| 1917 | 7 |
| 1918 | 7 |
| 1920 | 8 |
| 1921 | 12 |
| 1922 | 5 |
| 1923 | 8 |
| 1924 | 10 |
| 1925 | 7 |
| 1926 | 7 |
| 1927 | 6 |
| 1928 | 9 |
| 1929 | 8 |
| 1932 | 7 |
| 1934 | 13 |
| 1936 | 7 |
| 1937 | 14 |
| 1938 | 14 |
| 1939 | 10 |
| 1942 | 11 |
| 1944 | 6 |
| 1946 | 6 |
| 1947 | 11 |
| 1948 | 5 |
| 1949 | 12 |
| 1950 | 13 |
| 1951 | 17 |
| 1953 | 6 |
| 1954 | 6 |
| 1955 | 10 |
| 1956 | 10 |
| 1957 | 12 |
| 1958 | 5 |
| 1959 | 16 |
| 1962 | 11 |
| 1965 | 5 |
| 1966 | 8 |
| 1967 | 7 |
| 1968 | 5 |
| 1969 | 16 |
| 1970 | 8 |
| 1971 | 16 |
| 1972 | 11 |
| 1973 | 12 |
| 1974 | 15 |
| 1975 | 18 |
| 1976 | 7 |
| 1977 | 19 |
| 1978 | 21 |
| 1979 | 14 |
| 1980 | 18 |
| 1981 | 31 |
| 1982 | 43 |
| 1983 | 40 |
| 1984 | 47 |
| 1985 | 97 |
| 1986 | 72 |
| 1987 | 73 |
| 1988 | 87 |
| 1989 | 108 |
| 1990 | 97 |
| 1991 | 145 |
| 1992 | 177 |
| 1993 | 209 |
| 1994 | 250 |
| 1995 | 233 |
| 1996 | 261 |
| 1997 | 266 |
| 1998 | 329 |
| 1999 | 371 |
| 2000 | 396 |
| 2001 | 483 |
| 2002 | 482 |
| 2003 | 570 |
| 2004 | 632 |
| 2005 | 744 |
| 2006 | 899 |
| 2007 | 978 |
| 2008 | 2,650 |
| 2009 | 2,457 |
| 2010 | 1,566 |
| 2011 | 1,419 |
| 2012 | 1,431 |
| 2013 | 1,772 |
| 2014 | 1,929 |
| 2015 | 1,761 |
| 2016 | 1,763 |
| 2017 | 1,695 |
| 2018 | 1,661 |
| 2019 | 1,527 |
| 2020 | 1,603 |
| 2021 | 1,559 |
| 2022 | 1,323 |
| 2023 | 1,272 |
| 2024 | 1,261 |
Marley through the decades
- Marley peaked in 2008, when 2,650 babies were named Marley in the US.
- The 2010s were Marley's strongest decade, averaging 1,652 births a year.
- Marley currently ranks #287 in the US and is cooling off.
Nicknames
Marley
Variants & spellings
MarleeMarleigh
Famous people named Marley
- Bob Marley — musician (surname)