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Marleigh

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAR-lee /ˈmɑːr.liː/High

Meaning: Variant spelling of Marley, from Old English mere meaning lake, pool, or marsh and leah meaning meadow or woodland clearing, thus meadow near the lakeHigh

In 30 seconds: Marleigh is a stylized spelling of Marley meaning pleasant meadow. The -leigh ending adds an elegant flourish to the familiar name, making it feel both nature-connected and distinctively modern.
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Origin HighOld English
MeaningVariant spelling of Marley, from Old English mere meaning lake, pool, or marsh and leah meaning meadow or woodland clearing, thus meadow near the lake
U.S. rank (2025)#976 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births261 girls (0.01% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2021
Total births (all-time)≈ 6,105

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 202119852025

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Marley derives from an Old English place name combining mere (lake) and leah (meadow). The -leigh spelling is an elaborated form of the -ley or -lee suffix, adding visual elegance popular in American girl names.

Marleigh, Marley, and Marlee all rose in U.S. popularity in the 2000s, partly through the film Marley and Me (2008) and the broader trend for Marley as a girl's name. The -leigh variant specifically appeals to parents who want a more distinguished spelling.

Did you know? Bob Marley (1945–1981), the Jamaican reggae musician, made Marley one of the most recognized surnames in music history. While he did not use it as a given name, his influence helped push Marley and its variants into baby name charts.
Overall data confidence 84%
Behind the Name — Marley — Old English etymologyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MarleyMarleeMarlowe

Nicknames

MarLee

Famous Bearers

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If you like Marleigh…

Marley— direct variant sharing the Old English meadow meaning
Hadley— same Old English -ley place-name surname tradition for girls
Harley— same meadow-suffix naming tradition and two-syllable modern feel
Paisley— same modern American -leigh variant surname-name trend

Frequently Asked

What does the name Marleigh mean?

Marleigh means meadow near the lake, from Old English mere (lake, pool) and leah (meadow). It is an elegant variant spelling of Marley.

How do you pronounce Marleigh?

It is said MAR-lee, with two syllables and stress on the first, identical to Marley.

Is Marleigh the same as Marley?

Marleigh and Marley are spelling variants of the same name with identical pronunciation and Old English origin.

Is Marleigh a popular name?

Marleigh and Marley have been rising in the United States since the 2000s, driven in part by the film Marley and Me (2008).