NameCensus.

UK girl's name

Marella

A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly Latin or Italian.

For 2026, the newest official UK baby-name figures on this page are from 2024. That release is the current official benchmark rather than a forecast.

Marella is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Marella popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #5891, with 3 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 1998, with 3 births.

This profile covers 15 England and Wales registrations across 5 recorded years from 1998 to 2024. The figures come from ONS England and Wales, so the page is a view of published baby-name registrations rather than a forecast or a live count of people using the name today.

The latest count is about 100% of the recorded peak, which gives a quick read on how the name has moved since its high point.

We estimate that about 15 living people in the UK are called Marella. This uses published birth registrations from England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, then applies ONS national life tables to estimate how many are likely still alive. It does not forecast extra births for 2025 or 2026.

Key insights

  • Marella ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 3 registrations.
  • The name peaked in 1998, when 3 girls were registered as Marella.
  • About 15 living people in the UK are estimated to have Marella as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.

Latest rank (E&W)

#5891

2024

Births in 2024

3

Latest year

Peak year

1998

3 births

Estimated living

15

2026

Meaning

What does Marella mean?

The name Marella has its origins in the Italian language, where it is a diminutive form of the name Maria. Maria itself is derived from the Hebrew name Miryam, which is believed to have meant "beloved" or "wished-for child." The earliest known use of the name Marella dates back to the late Middle Ages in Italy.

In Italy, the name Marella has been associated with the Virgin Mary, as it is a derivation of the name Maria. This connection to the Catholic faith likely contributed to its popularity in certain regions of the country, particularly in the central and southern regions where religious traditions were deeply ingrained.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Marella can be found in historical records from the 15th century, where it appears as the name of a woman from the city of Florence. Marella di Benedetto Salviati, born in 1472, was a member of the influential Salviati family and was known for her philanthropic work in the city.

In the 16th century, the name Marella gained further prominence with the birth of Marella Novella, an Italian painter and poet born in 1544 in the city of Ferrara. She was celebrated for her artistic talent and her literary works, which included poetry and plays.

Another notable figure in history with the name Marella was Marella Agnelli, an Italian socialite and style icon born in 1927. She was the wife of Gianni Agnelli, the famous industrialist and principal shareholder of Fiat. Marella Agnelli was widely admired for her elegance and philanthropic endeavors.

In the field of literature, Marella Agnelli Caracciolo di Brienza, born in 1916, was an Italian novelist and poet. Her works explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition, earning her critical acclaim in the literary world.

Marella Ragazzi, born in 1939, is an Italian artist known for her abstract expressionist paintings and sculptures. Her works have been exhibited in galleries and museums across Europe and the United States, and she is recognized as one of the leading contemporary artists from Italy.

While the name Marella has its roots in Italy, it has also gained popularity in other countries, particularly those with strong cultural ties to Italy or a significant Italian diaspora. However, its historical significance and associations remain deeply rooted in the Italian language and culture.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

Popularity

Marella over time

The chart below shows babies named Marella registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 1998 to 2024. Empty years are left out so rare names are not stretched across long periods where the published files do not show any registrations.

For Marella, the clearest high point is 1998. The latest England and Wales figure is 3 births in 2024, compared with 3 at the peak.

Babies born per year

Marella
01223199820112024

Decades

Marella by decade

Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Marella was a short-lived spike or a name that stayed in regular use. Average rank is calculated only from years where a published rank exists.

Decade Average rank Total births Years covered
2020s #5736 6 2
2010s #5748 6 2
1990s #3848 3 1

Related

Names similar to Marella

FAQ

Marella: questions and answers

How popular is the name Marella in the UK right now?

In 2024, Marella was ranked #5891 for girls in England and Wales, with 3 births registered.

When was Marella most popular?

The peak year on record was 1998, with 3 babies registered as Marella in England and Wales.

What is the meaning and origin of Marella?

A feminine name of uncertain origin, possibly Latin or Italian.

How many people are called Marella in the UK?

A total of 15 babies have been registered as Marella across the 5 years of ONS England & Wales records shown here.

Which records is this page based on?

The England and Wales timeline uses ONS baby-name records. Scotland figures come from NRS and Northern Ireland figures come from NISRA. Counts are registrations in published baby-name files. The living estimate uses those birth registrations with ONS national life tables.