Marilla
How to say it: muh-RIL-uh · /məˈrɪlə/
Diminutive of Mary, Hebrew for 'beloved' or 'bitter' - popularized by Anne of Green Gables.
Marilla was the 6,645th most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 13 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1890s, its births are up about 29% in ten years, and it is projected to slip to #7,317 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #6,645 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 13 |
| Share of births | 1 in 255,026 |
| Peak decade | 1890s |
| Change over 10 years | +29% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #7,317 |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Marilla peaked in the 1890s, nearly vanished by the 1960s, and has come back.
What goes with it
Parents who love Marilla also love
Nicknames
- Rilla
- Mari
Honouring a Marilla in the family
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Marilla is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in English, Hebrew, Italian.
Good to know
- Marilla Cuthbert is the co-protagonist guardian of the 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables
Keep exploring
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