Meaning & origin
A reliable meaning for Marlei isn’t established in our sources yet. Rather than guess, we show what is recorded: how the name is used, how often, and the names it’s connected to.
The story
Published U.S. birth records include this spelling as early as 2002. This is the earliest published observation available here, rather than a date for the name’s origin.
From dated birth records
Marlei through the years
- Babies since 1880
- 795
- 11 boys · 784 girls
- Most popular year
- 2020
- 75 babies
- 2025
- 34
- #4,237 for girls
- 2021–25 vs 2016–20
- −25%
- Easing
Where it’s given
By the numbers
In 2025, this name appeared in 34 U.S. birth records for girls, ranking No. 4,237 among girls’ names. Average annual use for girls was 21.8% lower in 2021–2025 than in 2016–2020. In 2025, Louisiana had the largest reported state-level birth count for girls with this name (5). Published U.S. population figures for this spelling include 470 as a first name in 2020.
From Social Security birth records and U.S. Census name counts for this exact spelling. Other spellings are counted separately.
Marlei’s family of names
In Greek usage, Marlei as a surname is a transliteration of Μάρλεϊ.
The ring: spellings.
Spellings & scripts 2
The same name written differently, including transliterations into other scripts.
Similar names
If you love Marlei, these share its style, era, origin or sound, from outside its own family.
Marlani
>99% girls
Mahdiya
>99% girls
Mayari
>99% girls
Myracle
“an act of God's hand”
>99% girls
Maslyn
>99% girls
Maelly
>99% girls
Madiha
“one who is praiseworthy”
>99% girls
Marron
Marron is a surname from French. It is used in English and French.
>99% girls