Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Marlie
GirlEnglish, Old English· “form of Marley; from a place name”
- Meaning
- form of Marley; from a place name (origin disputed)
- Origin
- English, Old English
- Pronunciation
- MAHR-lee
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,422
- US babies 2025
- 153
- Best rank
- #895 (2009)
- Peak year
- 2009
Meaning and origin of Marlie
Marlie is often said to mean “form of Marley; from a place name”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and Old English roots.
Marlie is a spelling of Marley, which comes from an English surname derived from place names. The meaning is uncertain, since several places called Marley or Marlay may come from different Old English words, including ones meaning "pleasant wood" or "boundary wood." The surname appears in literature as Jacob Marley, the ghostly business partner in Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, and it gained wider fame through reggae musician Bob Marley. As a given name, Marley became popular for girls in the late twentieth century. The Marlie spelling, with its -ie ending, gives a soft, youthful look while keeping the same sound.
Popularity over time
Marlie first appears in US Social Security records in 1937. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 2 different years, starting in 2008. Its best national rank was #895 in 2009, the same year it reached its highest count of 306 babies. In 2025, 153 babies were named Marlie, and it ranked #1,422 nationally. That is 26% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #2,696 in 2000, #1,213 in 2010, and #1,422 in 2025. Of the 4,542 US girls named Marlie since records began, 40% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 1,296 babies.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Bree, Diya, Maryjane, Yamilet, and Payten.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Marlie ranked highest in Iowa, Alabama, and Ohio.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa | #421 | 8 |
| Alabama | #790 | 6 |
| Ohio | #856 | 11 |
| Indiana | #889 | 7 |
| North Carolina | #956 | 10 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Marlie is usually pronounced MAHR-lee, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-ie”.
Middle names for Marlie
A few middle names that flow with Marlie: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Marlie
Similar names
Edie Girl
EE-dee
“prosperous in war” · English
#2,069
Lexie Girl
LEHK-see
“short for Alexandra; defender” · Greek
#1,357
Carlie Girl
KAHR-lee
“pet form of Caroline or Carl, 'free man'” · English
#2,657
Abbie Girl
A-bee
“my father is joy” · English
#1,652
Cassie Girl
KA-see
“short form of Cassandra” · Greek
#1,280
Irie Girl
EYE-ree
“good, all right (Jamaican)” · English
#2,009
Wylie Unisex
WY-lee
“from a surname; uncertain” · Scottish
#1,182
Lanie Girl
LAY-nee
“short form of Elaine or Melanie” · English
#2,227
Hollie Girl
HAH-lee
“holly tree” · English
#2,834
Stormie Girl
STOR-mee
“stormy” · English
#1,865
Ellie Girl
EL-ee
“short form of Eleanor or Ellen” · English
#24
Sadie Girl
SAY-dee
“diminutive of Sarah; princess” · Hebrew
#50
Lists that include Marlie
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Marlie mean?
Marlie is often said to mean “form of Marley; from a place name”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to English and Old English roots.
What is the origin of the name Marlie?
Marlie has English and Old English roots. Marlie is a spelling of Marley, which comes from an English surname derived from place names.
Is Marlie a popular name?
Not especially. Marlie ranked #1,422 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Marlie a boy or girl name?
Marlie is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Marlie?
Marlie is usually pronounced MAHR-lee. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings