Holding steady.
Popularity of Marlita since 1936
Babies named Marlita per year in U.S. Social Security records. Raw births topped out in 1961, but relative to how few babies were recorded back then, Marlita's real moment was 1975.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1930s | 10 |
| 1940s | 6 |
| 1950s | 45 |
| 1960s | 51 |
| 1970s | 59 |
| 1980s | 35 |
| 1990s | 6 |
| 2000s | 0 |
| 2010s | 0 |
| 2020s | 0 |
Meaning & origin
Marlita is a gentle modern blend that saw its highest use in the 1970s. It was first recorded in the United States in 1936 and peaked in popularity in 1975. While it has never been a common name, trajectory data shows it has remained stable over the decades. The name is essentially a fusion of Mary and the affectionate -ita suffix, creating a melodic and feminine form. Marlita has been used sporadically across the country but without a strong regional concentration, as no top states are recorded.
Marlita is a modern diminutive, blending Mary (from Hebrew Miryam, debated meaning) with the Spanish/Italian -ita diminutive suffix. It emerged in the early 20th century, primarily used in the United States. Its peak popularity occurred in the 1970s.
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Marli, Lita, Marla
Sibling names for Marlita
Names that share Marlita's style, for a brother or sister.
