"woman of Magdala, beloved"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Marla
Pronunciation: [ m-AHRL-uh ]
Girl Name
#2,326 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
A sleek vintage name with timeless simplicity
American
German
English
Vintage
Classic
Strong
Minimalist
Meaning & Origin
"combination of Mary and Lena"
Origin: Germanic
Language: English
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.
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
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)
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
Pairs Well With
Marla Jean
Marla Ann
Marla Kay
Marla Lynn
Marla Rose
Marla Grace
Marla Jane
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Marla is also used as a boy name, ranked #39379.
View Marla as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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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.
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.