"woman of Magdala, beloved"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Marla
Pronunciation: [ m-AHRL-uh ]
Does Marla flow with your last name?
A sleek vintage name with timeless simplicity
American
German
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Classic
Strong
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Meaning & Origin
"combination of Mary and Lena"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
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Things to Know About This Name
- Marla Singer in Fight Club (1999) is a darkly nihilistic character — minor association
The Story of Marla
Marla is considered a short form of Marlene or a blend of Mary and Lena. Mary derives from the Hebrew Miriam whose meaning is debated — possibly from Egyptian mr meaning beloved or from Hebrew elements meaning sea of bitterness or wished-for child. Lena may derive from the Hebrew Magdalena (woman of Magdala). Marla thus carries ancient Semitic roots refracted through Germanic naming tradition into a sleek, modern-sounding form.
Marla peaked in American popularity in the 1950s-60s, when -a ending names were fashionable. It declined steadily from the 1970s onward. Marla Maples, former wife of Donald Trump, kept the name in headlines in the 1990s.
In American pop culture, Marla is associated with the mid-century era of classic Hollywood names. Marla Singer in Fight Club (1999) gave the name a provocative, counter-cultural edge for a new generation.
Historical Record
Marla first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 35,067 babies have been named Marla in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Marla is past its peak , currently ranked #2,326 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Marla Maples was the second wife of Donald Trump, married 1993-1999
- Marla Singer played by Helena Bonham Carter is a memorable character in Fight Club (1999)
Marla in Other Languages
French
Marla
German
Marla
Italian
Marla
Spanish
Marla
Popularity Over Time
#2,326
Current Rank
Peaked 1955
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Marla
M
Marla Maples
Entertainer
1963
American actress and television personality, second wife of Donald Trump
M
Marla Singer Fictional
Other
Iconic character played by Helena Bonham Carter in Fight Club (1999)
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #2,326
- Total SSA Count
- 79
- Cultural Origins
- American German English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mar
Marley
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, German heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Marla
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Marla is also used as a boy name, ranked #39379.
View Marla as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Marla
What does the name Marla mean?
"woman of Magdala, beloved" (from Hebrew). "combination of Mary and Lena" (from Germanic). Marla is considered a short form of Marlene or a blend of Mary and Lena. Mary derives from the Hebrew Miriam whose meaning is debated — possibly from Egyptian mr meaning beloved or from Hebrew elements meaning sea of bitterness or wished-for child. Lena may derive from the Hebrew Magdalena (woman of Magdala). Marla thus carries ancient Semitic roots refracted through Germanic naming tradition into a sleek, modern-sounding form.
What is the origin of the name Marla?
Marla has Hebrew, Germanic, American, German, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "woman of Magdala, beloved". In Germanic, it means "combination of Mary and Lena".
Is Marla a boy or girl name?
Marla is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #2326. As a boy name, it is ranked #39379. Marla is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Marla?
Marla is pronounced m-AHRL-uh.
How popular is the name Marla?
Marla is currently ranked #2326 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Marla?
Common nicknames for Marla include Mar and Marley.
What are good middle names for Marla?
Popular middle name pairings include Marla Jean, Marla Ann, Marla Kay, Marla Lynn, Marla Rose, Marla Grace, and Marla Jane.
What are good sibling names for Marla?
Names that pair well with Marla as siblings include Darla, Carla, Sharla, Harlan, Garland, Marlene, and Darlene.
How many syllables does Marla have?
Marla has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Marla a common or rare name?
Marla is an uncommon name, ranked #2326 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Marla?
About the Name Marla
Marla is a girl name with American, German, and English origins . The name means "woman of Magdala, beloved" in Hebrew .
Is Marla a boy or girl name? Marla is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #2,326 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #39,379. Marla is more commonly used as a girl name.
Marla is currently ranked #2,326 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Marla has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-AHRL-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Marla include Mar and Marley. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Marla include Marley, Marlee, Marlowe, Marleigh, Marlow . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis