Holding steady.
Popularity of Marlis since 1919
Babies named Marlis per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1910s | 5 |
| 1920s | 76 |
| 1930s | 207 |
| 1940s | 244 |
| 1950s | 187 |
| 1960s | 75 |
| 1970s | 29 |
| 1980s | 18 |
| 1990s | 0 |
| 2000s | 5 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Marlis is a German and Dutch compound name that saw its highest usage in the 1930s, with a peak year of 1938. Though it never achieved widespread popularity nationally, it reflects a naming tradition of blending familiar names like Mary and Elizabeth. The name has remained stable in rarity, never ranking in the top 1000. Its first recorded use in the United States was in 1919, and it has gradually fallen out of common use, with no resurgence in recent decades. Marlis is typically given to girls and carries a vintage, mid-century European charm.
Marlis is a compound name formed by combining Mary and Lis (a diminutive of Elizabeth). It is most common in German and Dutch-speaking regions, particularly in the 20th century. The name Mary derives from Hebrew Miriam, while Elizabeth comes from Hebrew Elisheva.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Marla, Lissy, Marlie
Sibling names for Marlis
Names that share Marlis's style, for a brother or sister.
