Marla

Marla is a female given name in English. It is a variant of the name Marlene, formed by combining the suffix la with the first part of the name, possibly as a diminutive or simplified form.

Etymology

Marla ultimately derives from the biblical name Mary Magdalene, through its blended form Marlene. Marlene itself is a combination of Maria and Magdalene, referring to Mary Magdalene, the follower of Jesus in the New Testament. The name Marlene was popularized by the German actress and singer Marlene Dietrich (born Maria Magdalene Dietrich), which may have also influenced the emergence of Marla as a related form.

Notable Bearers

• Marla Adams – American soap opera actress known for her role on The Young and the Restless.
• Marla Gibbs – American actress best known for her role on the sitcom The Jeffersons.
• Marla Maples – American actress and model, married to former President Donald Trump from 1993 to 1997.
• Marla Runyan – American marathon runner who is legally blind; she competed in the Paralympics and mainstream Olympics.
• Marla Ruzicka – American activist and aid worker who advocated for civilian victims of war areas, killed by a car-bomb in Iraq.
• Marla Glen – American jazz singer.
• Marla Olmstead – American abstract artist considered a child prodigy.

• Meaning: Variant of Marlene, derived from Mary Magdalene
• Origin: English, ultimately from Hebrew origins through Mary
• Type: Female given name
• Usage Regions: English-speaking countries