Marla

Marla: name meaning, origin & popularity

Meaning: “of Magdala”
Origin: English
Say it: MAR-luh · 2 syllables
Used for: Girls

Usually treated as an English variant of Marlene or a form related to Martha/Mary, but its exact development is uncertain. It is often explained through Magdalene-based forms. The origin of this name is not settled among etymologists.

English names American names Modern names International names

How popular is Marla?

202424.0 per million US babies

Drag the line or the slider to read any year. Values are per million US births recorded by Social Security. Records before about 1937 undercount births, so early peaks can look taller than they were.

Compare with another name

Babies named Marla in 202479

2024 rank#2,325 girls

Peak year1955

Total US babies since 188038,728

Marla is steady now but far below its 1955 peak.

Names like Marla

Variants, related forms and names with the same roots.

Marlenemodern blend of Maria and Magdalene · Germanic
Marlenaof Magdala; or beloved, drop of the sea · Germanic
Marlynfrom Mary and Lynn · English
Oliviaolive tree · English
Evelyndesired; little bird · English
Harperharp player · English
Violetviolet flower · English
Hazelhazel tree · English

Marla questions

What does the name Marla mean?

Marla means "of Magdala". It comes from English. Usually treated as an English variant of Marlene or a form related to Martha/Mary, but its exact development is uncertain. It is often explained through Magdalene-based forms.

Is Marla a boy or girl name?

Marla is mainly a girl's name in US records (100% of uses since 1880).

How popular is Marla?

79 US babies were named Marla in 2024. Its peak year was 1955.

How do you pronounce Marla?

Marla is usually pronounced MAR-luh.

Birth counts: US Social Security Administration national data, 1880–2024 (names given to 5+ babies of a sex in a year). How we write meanings.