Marlee

Marlee is a feminine given name of English origin. It is a variant of Marley, which is itself derived from an English surname. The surname Marley comes from a place name whose meaning in Old English is uncertain; it may signify "pleasant wood," "boundary wood," or "marten wood."

Notable Bearers

The name is borne by several notable women, most prominently the American actress Marlee Matlin (born 1965), an Academy Award winner for Best Actress for her role in Children of a Lesser God. Matlin has been a prominent figure in entertainment and deaf advocacy. Other bearers include Australian author Marlee Ranacher and Canadian country music singer Marlee Scott (born 1986), who is known for her singles such as "Everything I Want."

Variants and Popularity

Variant forms include Marleigh, Marly, and the original surname form Marley, which gained fame as a given name partly due to Bob Marley (1945-1981), the legendary Jamaican reggae musician. Marlee has seen moderate use in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States, where it is given to girls, reflecting a broader trend of surnames and masculine names transitioning to feminine given names.

• Meaning: Variant of Marley
• Origin: English
• Type: Given name
• Usage: English-speaking countries (especially US, Canada, Australia)