UK boy's name
Marlei
A feminine name likely derived from Marie and Leigh.
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2009. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Marlei is a boy's name in the UK records. People looking for Marlei popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2009 in this profile. In that release it ranked #4527, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2009, with 3 births.
This profile covers 3 England and Wales registrations across 1 recorded years from 2009 to 2009. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.
Marlei is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 3 living people in the UK are called Marlei. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2010 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Marlei ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales in 2009, with 3 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2009, when 3 boys were registered as Marlei.
- • About 3 living people in the UK are estimated to have Marlei as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#4527
2009
Births in 2009
3
Latest year
Peak year
2009
3 births
Estimated living
3
2026
Meaning
What does Marlei mean?
The name Marlei is believed to have originated from a combination of the German name Marlene and the French name Leila. Its roots can be traced back to the late 19th century, primarily in Central and Western Europe.
The first part of the name, "Marl," is derived from the ancient Germanic name "Marhild," which means "bitter battle." The second part, "ei," likely comes from the French "Leila," which has its origins in the Arabic name "Laylah," meaning "night."
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Marlei dates back to 1892, when a German author named Marlei Müller published a collection of children's stories. However, the name gained more prominence in the early 20th century, particularly in Germany and France.
Among the notable individuals who bore the name Marlei throughout history is Marlei Stöckl, a German artist and sculptor who lived from 1897 to 1973. Her works were widely exhibited across Europe and are still celebrated for their unique style and attention to detail.
Another well-known figure is Marlei Bauer, a French resistance fighter during World War II. Born in 1915, she played a crucial role in smuggling Jewish families out of Nazi-occupied territories, risking her life to save countless lives.
In the world of literature, Marlei Hartmann (1926-2003) was a renowned German novelist and poet. Her works often explored themes of identity, self-discovery, and the complexities of human relationships.
Moving to the field of sports, Marlei Müller (1938-2015) was a German track and field athlete who competed in the 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games, winning a bronze medal in the long jump event.
Lastly, Marlei Eckert (1951-2019) was a Swiss politician and activist who dedicated her life to promoting environmental conservation and sustainable development. She served as a member of the Swiss National Council for several years and played a pivotal role in shaping environmental policies in her country.
While the name Marlei may not be as common today as it was in the past, it carries a rich history and cultural significance, reflecting the diverse influences that have shaped its evolution over time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Decades
Marlei by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Marlei was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.
| Decade | Average rank | Total births | Years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | #4527 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Marlei
- Matthew 80,931
- Mohammed 74,321
- Muhammad 72,235
- Max 59,807
- Michael 47,075
- Mason 38,935
- Mohammad 25,910
- Morgan 15,994
- Muhammed 11,527
- Mark 11,336
- Marcus 11,257
- Maxwell 10,006
FAQ
Marlei: questions and answers
How popular is the name Marlei in the UK right now?
In 2009, Marlei was ranked #4527 for boys in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.
When was Marlei most popular?
The peak year on record was 2009, with 3 babies registered as Marlei in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Marlei?
A feminine name likely derived from Marie and Leigh.
How many people are called Marlei in the UK?
A total of 3 babies have been registered as Marlei across the 1 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.
Which records is this page based on?
The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.