Combination of Maria and Laya, or variant of Malaya
Marlaya is a modern American coinage, likely created by blending the classic Maria or Marla with the rhythmic suffix -laya. It may also be used as a phonetic variant of the Tagalog name Malaya, which signifies independence. Its usage is rare, appealing to parents seeking a familiar sound with a unique spelling.
Less common today
Marlaya isn't in the latest US Top 1000. It last peaked at #8,797 in 2024.
US births per 5-year period, 1990–present (SSA data).
