Find out how popular the first name Marlys has been for the last 49 years (from 1974 to 2022) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Marlys by gender

Based on the last 49 years of data, Marlys is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2022, there were 5 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Marlys.

The history of the first name Marlys

Marlys is a feminine given name of German origin, derived from the Old High German name Marlind or Marlind, which is a compound of the elements "mari" meaning "famous" and "lind" meaning "soft" or "tender." The name can be traced back to the 8th century and was initially popular among the Germanic tribes of Central Europe.

The earliest recorded use of the name Marlys can be found in the Codex Diplomaticus, a collection of medieval charters and documents from the 9th century. The name appears in various forms, such as Marlinda, Marlinde, and Marlindis, indicating its widespread use during the Middle Ages.

In the 12th century, the name gained popularity in religious circles, particularly among nuns and abbesses. One notable figure from this era was Marlys of Münstereifel, a German abbess who lived from 1145 to 1210 and played a significant role in the reform of the Benedictine order.

During the Renaissance period, the name Marlys was associated with several notable women in the arts and literature. Marlys von Nürnberg (1490-1557) was a German painter and printmaker known for her intricate woodcuts and engravings. Marlys Schönfeld (1532-1592) was a German poet and writer whose works reflected the cultural and intellectual movements of her time.

In the 19th century, the name Marlys gained popularity in Scandinavia, particularly in Norway and Sweden. One of the most famous bearers of the name was Marlys Christensen (1845-1923), a Norwegian novelist and playwright who wrote extensively about the lives of women and social issues of her era.

Another notable figure was Marlys Eriksson (1872-1962), a Swedish feminist and politician who played a pivotal role in the women's suffrage movement and served as a member of the Swedish Riksdag (parliament) from 1922 to 1936.

Throughout the 20th century, the name Marlys continued to be used in various parts of the world, particularly in German-speaking countries and Scandinavia. Some notable individuals include Marlys Scheel (1914-2008), a German writer and philanthropist known for her work in promoting literacy and education, and Marlys Wallin (1927-2018), a Swedish actress and singer who had a successful career in both film and theater.

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 Marlys was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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