Holding steady.
Popularity of Marja since 1921
Babies named Marja per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1920s | 5 |
| 1930s | 0 |
| 1940s | 28 |
| 1950s | 68 |
| 1960s | 74 |
| 1970s | 111 |
| 1980s | 113 |
| 1990s | 38 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Marja is a name with multiple cultural roots, used most commonly in Dutch, Scandinavian, and Arabic contexts. In the United States, it has never been a common name; it was first recorded in 1921 and saw its peak usage in 1978, though even then it did not enter the top 1000. The name has remained stable in usage since the 1970s, never gaining widespread popularity. Despite its rarity, Marja carries a cross-cultural appeal, with variants like Maria and Marija being far more common globally. Its lack of top-state data reflects its sparse use nationwide.
Marja is a given name with multiple possible origins. In Dutch and Scandinavian usage, it functions as a variant of Maria, which itself derives from the Hebrew name Miryam, of uncertain meaning (often interpreted as 'beloved' or 'bitter'). In Arabic, Marja (مرجة) can mean 'meadow' or 'pasture'. The name has been used in the Netherlands and Nordic countries since at least the early 20th century, and in the United States it was first recorded in 1921.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mar, Maja
Sibling names for Marja
Names that share Marja's style, for a brother or sister.
