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Marletta

♀ Girl

Pronounced mar-LET-uh /mɑrˈlɛt.ə/Medium

Meaning: Marletta blends the Mar- opening of names like Marla and Marlene with the Italian diminutive suffix -etta ('little'). The result is an ornamental early-American given name meaning roughly 'little Marla.'Low

In 30 seconds: Marletta joins a Mar- root to the pretty -etta ending ('little'). An ornate early-century girl's name, always rare (said mar-LET-uh).

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Origin LowEnglish, Italian

MeaningMarletta blends the Mar- opening of names like Marla and Marlene with the Italian diminutive suffix -etta ('little'). The result is an ornamental early-American given name meaning roughly 'little Marla.'

U.S. rank (1986)#12076 ↘ Falling

1986 U.S. births5 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)

Peak year1964

Total births (all-time)≈ 293

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Marletta pairs the Mar- beginning shared by Marla and Marlene with the Italian diminutive -etta ('little'), for a sense like 'little Marla.' It belongs to the early-twentieth-century American fashion for frilly -etta names.

It stayed slight, given to only about fifteen girls a year at its peak in the nineteen-sixties, and rarely appears after. A Marletta from that time would be a grandmother today.

Did you know? The tuneful -etta ending, borrowed from Italian, gave a wave of early-century American girls' names - Loretta, Marietta, Marletta - a lacy, affectionate finish.

Overall data confidence 40%

References - Marletta — Mar- + Italian diminutive -etta; early/mid-century -etta name fashion

Variations

MariettaMarlaLoretta

Nicknames

MarLetta

Famous Bearers

Famous bearers coming soon.

If you like Marletta…

Marietta— a like -etta name in the same family

Loretta— a similar vintage -etta girl's name

Carletta— a like ornate -etta coinage

Marlene— a like Mar- rooted name

Explore names like Marletta

By themeenglish vintage diminutive ornate

All themes →All meanings →All origins →

Frequently Asked

What does the name Marletta mean?

It is an elaboration of Mar- names (Marla, Marlene) with the Italian diminutive -etta, 'little.'

How do you pronounce Marletta?

It is said mar-LET-uh /mɑrˈlɛt.ə/ - three syllables, stress on the middle.

Is Marletta a boy or girl name?

Marletta is used as a girl's name.

How popular is Marletta?

It has always been rare, given to only about fifteen girls a year at its peak.