Marley
How to say it: MAR-lee · /ˈmɑrli/
From an English surname meaning 'pleasant wood' or 'marten clearing'. Strongly associated with Bob Marley.
Marley was the 203rd most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 950 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 2010s, its births are down about 30% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #245 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #203 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 950 |
| Share of births | 1 in 1,862 |
| Peak decade | 2010s |
| Change over 10 years | −30% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #245 |
| In France, 2025 | #701 among girls’ names, 185 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Well used though past its height in the 2010s, Marley endures. Staying near that peak, it looks ready to soften further.
What goes with it
Mellow and soft, Marley carries a relaxed lilt. Wren and Juniper suit it nicely.
Middle names that flow with Marley →
Nicknames
- Mar
Honouring a Marley in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Marley is about 1 in 78.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, French.
In France: #701 for girls in 2025.
England and Wales: #125. Ireland: #491.
Famous people named Marley
- Marley Shelton (born 1974)American actress
- Marley DiasAmerican activist and writer
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
Good to know
- Slang term for marijuana (from Bob Marley association); also slang for a lazy stoner person
Keep exploring
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