UK name, mostly boys
Marly
A feminine name of French origin meaning "meadow of the marly ground".
For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2012. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.
Also recorded as a girls' name in the UK, with 54 girls.
Marly is mostly registered for boys in the UK records. People looking for Marly popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2012 in this profile. In that release it ranked #3987, with 4 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2008, with 12 births.
This profile covers 60 England and Wales registrations across 11 recorded years from 1997 to 2012. 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.
The latest count is about 33% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.
We estimate that about 60 living people in the UK are called Marly. 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 2013 or 2026.
Key insights
- • Marly ranked #3987 for boys in England and Wales in 2012, with 4 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2008, when 12 boys were registered as Marly.
- • Marly is also recorded for girls, but the boys side is the larger UK variant in these records.
- • About 60 living people in the UK are estimated to have Marly as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
- • Across the England and Wales records shown here, 52.6% of Marly registrations are for boys.
Latest rank (E&W)
#3987
2012
Births in 2012
4
Latest year
Peak year
2008
12 births
Estimated living
60
2026
Gender
Boy and girl registrations for Marly
In England and Wales birth records, Marly has been registered for both boys and girls. Across the years shown here, 52.6% of registrations are for boys and 47.4% are for girls.
These figures use the sex categories in the published baby-name files. They are useful for spotting how the name is used at registration, but they are not a live measure of gender identity or everyone living with the name today.
Marly registered for boys
- Ranked #3,987 in 2012
- 4 boys registered in 2012
- Peak: 2008 (12 births)
Marly registered for girls
- Ranked #5,687 in 2023
- 3 girls registered in 2023
- Peak: 2003 (7 births)
Meaning
What does Marly mean?
The name Marly is believed to have its origins in the Germanic languages, specifically Old High German. It is thought to be derived from the Germanic root "mar," meaning "famous" or "celebrated." This root can also be found in other names like Marlene and Marlon.
The earliest known record of the name Marly dates back to the 9th century, when it appeared as a personal name in various Germanic regions of Europe. During the Middle Ages, the name was particularly popular in areas such as present-day Germany, France, and the Low Countries.
One notable historical figure bearing the name Marly was Marly of Burgundy, a 13th-century noblewoman and courtier at the court of King Philip III of France. She was known for her influential role in political affairs during that period.
In the realm of literature, the name Marly appears in several works from the 16th and 17th centuries. For instance, there is a character named Marly in the play "The Maid's Tragedy" by Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher, which was first performed in 1611.
Another notable figure with the name Marly was Marly Curti, an Italian artist and engraver who lived from 1639 to 1707. He was renowned for his intricate and detailed engravings, many of which depicted religious scenes and portraits.
In the 18th century, Marly Bénigne Colbert, Marquis de Seignelay (1651-1690), was a prominent French statesman and naval administrator who served under King Louis XIV. He played a significant role in the development of the French navy during his tenure.
Moving into the 19th century, Marly Youmans (1832-1899) was an American poet and writer who gained recognition for her works exploring themes of nature and spirituality. Her poetry collections, such as "Lyrics of a Day" and "Poems of the South," were well-received during her lifetime.
The name Marly has maintained a presence throughout history, albeit not as widespread as some other names. Its Germanic roots and associations with notable individuals from various fields have contributed to its enduring legacy as a given name.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Marly over time
The chart below compares boys and girls registered as Marly in England and Wales, from 1997 to 2023. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.
For Marly, the clearest high point is 2008. The latest England and Wales figure is 4 births in 2012, compared with 12 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Marly by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Marly 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | #3852 | 13 | 3 |
| 2000s | #2677 | 44 | 7 |
| 1990s | #2859 | 3 | 1 |
Related
Names similar to Marly
- 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
Marly: questions and answers
How popular is the name Marly in the UK right now?
In 2012, Marly was ranked #3987 for boys in England and Wales, with 4 births registered.
When was Marly most popular?
The peak year on record was 2008, with 12 babies registered as Marly in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Marly?
A feminine name of French origin meaning "meadow of the marly ground".
How many people are called Marly in the UK?
A total of 60 babies have been registered as Marly across the 11 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.