Find out how popular the first name Marley has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Marley by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Marley is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 87% of people named Marley being female.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 1,104 female babies and 164 male babies born with the name Marley.

The history of the first name Marley

The name Marley has its roots in the Old English language and is thought to have originated as a surname derived from the Old English word "mere", meaning "pool" or "lake", and "leah", meaning "meadow" or "clearing". It was likely used as a locational surname for someone who lived near a pool or lake in a meadow.

The name's earliest recorded use as a given name dates back to the late 16th century. One of the earliest known bearers of the name was John Marley, an English politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Westbury in the late 16th century.

In literature, the name Marley gained prominence through the character of Jacob Marley in Charles Dickens' famous novella "A Christmas Carol", published in 1843. Jacob Marley is the former business partner of Ebenezer Scrooge, who appears as a ghost to warn Scrooge about the consequences of his miserly ways.

Another notable bearer of the name was Bob Marley, the legendary Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician who is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of reggae music. Born in 1945, Bob Marley's music and lyrics were heavily influenced by Rastafarian culture and themes of social and political activism. He passed away in 1981 but left an indelible mark on the music industry.

In the world of sports, Marley Watkins is a Welsh professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Aberdeen F.C. in the Scottish Premiership. Born in 1990, Watkins has also represented the Welsh national team.

In the field of acting, Marley Shelton is an American actress known for her roles in films such as "Grindhouse", "Planet Terror", and "Rampart". Born in 1974, she has had a successful career in both film and television.

These are just a few examples of individuals throughout history who have borne the name Marley, showcasing its enduring presence and diverse backgrounds.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Marley was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Marley, please contact us.

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