"pleasant meadow"
Origin: Old English
Language: English
Marlee
Does Marlee flow with your last name?
Breezy, bright, and effortlessly sweet
American
English
Modern
Playful
Gentle
Earthy
Unique
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"star of the sea (via Mary)"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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Things to Know About This Name
- Variant of Marley, strongly associated with Bob Marley for some, and with 'Marley & Me' (the tearjerker dog film) for others
- The many alternate spellings (Marlee, Marley, Marlie) mean constant spelling correction
The Story of Marlee
Marlee is a modern American respelling of Marley, itself derived from Old English place-name elements 'mær' (pleasant) and 'leah' (meadow, clearing). It can also be seen as a blend of Mary (from Hebrew 'Miriam,' possibly meaning 'sea of bitterness' or 'star of the sea') and the popular '-lee' suffix. Marlee with this spelling gained recognition largely through actress Marlee Matlin.
Marlee gained attention after Marlee Matlin won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1987 — the youngest ever at 21 — and has risen with the popularity of the Marley/Harley/Charlie girl-name cluster.
In American culture, Marlee is strongly associated with Marlee Matlin, a pioneering Deaf actress and advocate, giving the name an inspiring association.
Historical Record
Marlee first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 16,825 babies have been named Marlee in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Marlee is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #509 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Marlee Matlin is the only Deaf performer to win the Academy Award for Best Actress, for 'Children of a Lesser God' (1986).
- The -lee ending on girl names (Kylee, Marlee, Harlee) became a major American trend in the 2000s.
- Bob Marley's surname, spelled differently, shares the same origin.
Marlee in Other Languages
French
Marlee
English
Marlee
Spanish
Marlee
Popularity Over Time
#509
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Marlee
M
Marlee Matlin
Actor
1965
American Deaf actress, youngest Best Actress Oscar winner for Children of a Lesser God
M
Marlee Mccleary Fictional
Other
Fictional character used in naming examples
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Compare Marlee with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #509
- Total SSA Count
- 602
- Cultural Origins
- American English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Casual
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- Moderate
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mar
Lee
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, quick 1-1 syllable combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 1-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Marlee
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Marlee is also used as a boy name, ranked #7854.
View Marlee as a boy name →Similar Names
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Old English origin
"thorny shrub, bramble"
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Nylah
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Gaelic origin
"champion, cloud"
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Serena
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Latin origin
"clear (as in clear skies)"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Marlee
What does the name Marlee mean?
"pleasant meadow" (from Old English). "star of the sea (via Mary)" (from Hebrew). Marlee is a modern American respelling of Marley, itself derived from Old English place-name elements 'mær' (pleasant) and 'leah' (meadow, clearing). It can also be seen as a blend of Mary (from Hebrew 'Miriam,' possibly meaning 'sea of bitterness' or 'star of the sea') and the popular '-lee' suffix. Marlee with this spelling gained recognition largely through actress Marlee Matlin.
What is the origin of the name Marlee?
Marlee has Old English, Hebrew, American, and English origins. In Old English, it means "pleasant meadow". In Hebrew, it means "star of the sea (via Mary)".
Is Marlee a boy or girl name?
Marlee is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #509. As a boy name, it is ranked #7854. Marlee is more commonly used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Marlee?
Marlee is currently ranked #509 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Marlee?
Common nicknames for Marlee include Mar and Lee.
What are good middle names for Marlee?
Popular middle name pairings include Marlee Grace, Marlee Rose, Marlee Jane, Marlee Ann, Marlee Faith, Marlee Joy, and Marlee Claire.
What are good sibling names for Marlee?
Names that pair well with Marlee as siblings include Brody, Grayson, Jaxon, Paisley, Kinsley, Avery, and Hadley.
How many syllables does Marlee have?
Marlee has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Marlee a common or rare name?
Marlee is moderately common, ranked #509 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Marlee?
About the Name Marlee
Marlee is a girl name with American and English origins . The name means "pleasant meadow" in Old English .
Is Marlee a boy or girl name? Marlee is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #509 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #7,854. Marlee is more commonly used as a girl name.
Marlee is currently ranked #509 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Marlee has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Marlee include Mar and Lee. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Marlee include Marley, Marlowe, Marleigh, Marlow, Marlene . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis