Meaning & History
Etymology and Possible Origins
Marilla is an uncommon feminine given name that likely originated as a fanciful late-19th-century American variant of Maria or a diminutive of Mary. It may also be a shortened form of Amaryllis, a name from pastoral poetry, but the connection is uncertain. The name became somewhat known through L. M. Montgomery's 1908 novel Anne of Green Gables, where it belongs to Marilla Cuthbert, the strict yet loving adoptive mother of the protagonist, Anne Shirley. This literary association has lent the name a gentle, old-fashioned charm.
Notable Bearers
A prominent historical bearer is American suffragist and lawyer Marilla Ricker (1840–1920). She was a pioneering advocate for women's rights and became the first woman to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1870 she attempted to vote—illegally—in a New Hampshire election, a bold act of civil disobedience decades before women's suffrage was won. Ricker's accomplishments reflect the independent spirit often associated with the name Marilla.
Cultural Significance
Marilla saw its greatest popularity in the 19th century, but by the early 20th century it had become rare. The fame of Marilla Cuthbert from the Anne of Green Gables series has kept the name in the public consciousness, and it occasionally experiences mild revivals among parents seeking classic or literary-inspired choices. A diminutive form of Marilla is Rilla, which Montgomery also used as a character name in Rilla of Ingleside (1921).