UK girl's name
Marlia
A feminine name derived from the Latin name Maria, meaning "sea of bitterness".
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.
Marlia is a girl's name in the UK records. People looking for Marlia popularity in 2026 should use the latest official release, which is 2024 in this profile. In that release it ranked #2574, with 10 babies registered with the name. Its strongest year in the published records was 2024, with 10 births.
This profile covers 54 England and Wales registrations across 8 recorded years from 2017 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.
Marlia is at its recorded peak in the England and Wales series.
We estimate that about 54 living people in the UK are called Marlia. 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
- • Marlia ranked #2574 for girls in England and Wales in 2024, with 10 registrations.
- • The name peaked in 2024, when 10 girls were registered as Marlia.
- • About 54 living people in the UK are estimated to have Marlia as a first name, after adjusting past birth registrations with ONS life tables.
Latest rank (E&W)
#2574
2024
Births in 2024
10
Latest year
Peak year
2024
10 births
Estimated living
54
2026
Meaning
What does Marlia mean?
The name Marlia is believed to have its origins in the Celtic language, specifically from the Brittonic branch. It is thought to have derived from the Proto-Celtic root word "marlos" or "marlas," meaning "one who shines" or "radiant one." The name was prevalent in ancient Britain and parts of present-day France and Spain during the Roman era.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Marlia can be found in a 5th-century Celtic inscription discovered near the town of Nîmes in southern France. This inscription was dedicated to a woman named Marlia, suggesting the name's usage during the late Roman period.
In medieval times, the name Marlia appeared in various historical records and documents across Europe. One notable figure was Marlia of Burgundy (c. 1050-1115), a noblewoman from the Duchy of Burgundy who played a significant role in the politics of her time.
During the Renaissance period, the name Marlia gained popularity in Italy. Marlia Merisi (1535-1599), an Italian painter and one of the first women to be accepted into the Accademia di San Luca, was a prominent figure who bore this name.
In the 17th century, Marlia Cavendish (1623-1673), an English writer and feminist, was a notable figure who helped promote women's education and rights. She was the daughter of the 1st Duke of Newcastle and is remembered for her literary works and advocacy.
Another notable bearer of the name was Marlia Vignola (1789-1865), an Italian architect and engineer who made significant contributions to the design and construction of numerous buildings in Rome and other Italian cities during the 19th century.
The name Marlia has been used across various cultures and regions throughout history, reflecting its ancient Celtic roots and its enduring appeal over the centuries. While not as common as some other names, it continues to be cherished for its connection to radiance and brightness.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
Popularity
Marlia over time
The chart below shows babies named Marlia registered in England and Wales in the years where the name appears in the published records, from 2017 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 Marlia, the clearest high point is 2024. The latest England and Wales figure is 10 births in 2024, compared with 10 at the peak.
Babies born per year
Decades
Marlia by decade
Decade totals smooth out the yearly jumps and make it easier to see whether Marlia 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 | #3022 | 40 | 5 |
| 2010s | #4527 | 14 | 3 |
Related
Names similar to Marlia
- Megan 70,884
- Mia 67,204
- Molly 47,734
- Millie 44,390
- Maisie 32,671
- Matilda 29,965
- Maya 26,445
- Madison 18,441
- Maria 17,304
- Mollie 15,914
- Martha 15,116
- Maddison 14,918
FAQ
Marlia: questions and answers
How popular is the name Marlia in the UK right now?
In 2024, Marlia was ranked #2574 for girls in England and Wales, with 10 births registered.
When was Marlia most popular?
The peak year on record was 2024, with 10 babies registered as Marlia in England and Wales.
What is the meaning and origin of Marlia?
A feminine name derived from the Latin name Maria, meaning "sea of bitterness".
How many people are called Marlia in the UK?
A total of 54 babies have been registered as Marlia across the 8 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.