Marlise

The name Marlise is composed of the biblical first names Maria and Elisabeth (or the short form Lise).

What does the name Marlise mean?

Marlise is a shortened variant of the double name Maria-Elisabeth. The origin and meaning of the first element, Maria, are not clearly defined. Maria may have Egyptian roots and could mean 'the beloved.' Alternatively, meanings from Hebrew are also possible, such as 'the (gift from God),' 'the well-nourished,' 'the sea myrrh,' 'the sea drop,' 'the rebellious one,' or 'the untamed.' Further information on the various derivations can be found on the name page for Maria. The second component of Marlise comes from the Hebrew name Elischeba, which is composed of the ancient Hebrew words el for 'God' and scheba for 'happiness, perfection.' Therefore, Elisabeth or Lise means 'God is fullness' or 'God is perfection.' The girl's name Marlise is primarily common in Germany and Switzerland, but it is not frequently given today. The name was particularly popular at the beginning of the 20th century. Similar variants include Marlies, Marliese, Marlis, and Marilies. A prominent bearer of this name was the German actress Marlise Ludwig (1886–1982).

Where does the name Marlise come from?

The etymology of the name Marlise can be traced back to ancient Hebrew origins, with meanings such as 'the (gift from God)' or 'God is fullness' and others.

How do you pronounce Marlise?

The pronunciation of Marlise is two syllables and soft. In German emphasis, the name is usually pronounced as 'Mar-li-se' [maʁˈliːzə], with the emphasis on the light 'li' syllable, giving the name a certain lightness. The contrast between the darker beginning 'Mar' and the long 'i' creates a harmonious tension. Marlise conveys a fine, reserved impression – cultivated, calm, and harmonious.

When is the name day of Marlise?

The main name days for Marlise are September 12 (Feast of the Holy Name of Mary) and September 23 (Elisabeth, mother of the Baptist).

Popularity

In Germany, Marlise is a rare first name. In 2023, it ranked 5,633rd on the list of the most common female first names. Its best ranking was in 1952 at 60th place. In the last ten years, Marlise has been given as a first name about 20 times, placing it 7,036th in the ten-year statistics. From 2010 to 2024, it ranks 8,440th.

Nicknames & pet names

Marlisita / Marlisli / Marser / Moris

Similar first names

Famous people

• Marlise Ludwig (German acting teacher)
• Marlise Simons (journalist from Holland)
• Marlise Wendels (German soprano opera singer)