Find out how popular the first name Marvella has been for the last 50 years (from 1975 to 2024) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Marvella by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Marvella is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2024, there were 21 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Marvella.

The history of the first name Marvella

The name Marvella is a feminine given name of uncertain origin, but it is believed to have its roots in Latin and Spanish languages. The first part of the name, "Marv," is thought to be derived from the Latin word "marvus," meaning "wonderful" or "marvelous." The suffix "-ella" is a common diminutive in Spanish, often used to create affectionate or diminutive forms of names.

One possible explanation for the name's origin is that it may have been derived from the Spanish name "Maravilla," which directly translates to "wonder" or "marvel." This name could have been shortened or modified over time to create the variation "Marvella."

While there is limited historical information about the name's earliest uses, some records indicate that it may have been used in certain regions of Spain and Latin America during the 16th and 17th centuries. However, its usage was likely quite rare and localized during those times.

The earliest recorded instances of the name Marvella in historical records are relatively scarce. One notable example is Marvella Bayh, an American activist and wife of former U.S. Senator Birch Bayh, who was born in 1925 and passed away in 1994. Another individual with this name was Marvella Holbrook, an American author and poet who lived from 1929 to 2019.

Other historical figures bearing the name Marvella include Marvella Armitage, an American actress who appeared in several films and TV shows in the mid-20th century. Marvella Smith was a Canadian artist and painter known for her landscape and portrait works, born in 1930 and active throughout the latter half of the 20th century.

Additionally, there is a record of a Marvella Hernandez, a Spanish-American educator and community leader who advocated for bilingual education in the United States during the late 20th century.

While not an exhaustive list, these examples showcase the use of the name Marvella throughout different periods and regions, although it has remained a relatively uncommon and unique name compared to more popular alternatives.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Marvella was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Marvella, please contact us.

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