Marlis is a unique and distinctive female given name of German origin, derived from the Old High German elements 'mari' meaning "of Mars," and 'lind' signifying "gentle" or "soft." The name Marlis is not widely known outside of Germany, making it quite rare and special. It's primarily used in Germany and other German-speaking countries like Austria and Switzerland. In the past century, there have been fewer than five girls named Marlis born each year in the United States, further contributing to its rarity and uniqueness. Despite its uncommon usage, Marlis is a name that carries a certain charm and elegance due to its roots in Old High German language and culture.
The name Marlis experienced considerable fluctuations in popularity over the century, with peaks in the late 1930s and mid-1950s, and notable declines post-1960.