Marilla?

[Britishseamonkey]

As a child I loved the Anne of Green Gables series, and I'm toying with Marilla as a name, its roman which would work well with my ds as he has a Latin/Romanesque name. Thought it could be shortened to Mari or Rilla. Does it work as a name?

I though maybe paired with something more 'classic'
Like Marilla Elizabeth or
Amy Marilla

It sounds a mishmash of other things tbh.

And like Marillion.

I love Anne of Green Gables too! Her youngest daughter is a known as Rilla. Beautiful name and Marilla Elizabeth is a lovely combination.

Yes it was more the Rilla character than the original Marilla that inspired it... I liked Walter and Jem too ( also names of aogg name her sons) but my DH vetoed them!

I have only ever heard of one Marilla and that is Marilla Cuthbert. For me it's too associated with one person to be able to imagine it on anyone else. A bit like Cinderella.

But then again I do love and adore AOGG so I'd probably feel an affinity with a little Marilla.

I don't really like it, I thought immediately of the fruit, tamarillo, and went ugh.

If you like that name but aren't sure how about Marissa instead? Similar sounding

I prefer mariela as less like to get pronounced incorrectly

I love AOGG but not the name. It sounds too 'monkey-like' to me (!)
The other suggestions of Mariela and Marissa are much prettier IMO.

I also thought Marilla = Gorilla. Not good if she turns out to be a bit hairy one day...

I have a Marissa though so would recommend that!

I know a grown up (aged 50) Marilla, it is a lovely name. Pretty on a little girl but still elegant for an adult, which can be a hard combination.

Too associated with Anne of GG for me, also I don't find it particularly pretty, it sounds a bit harsh (sorry).

I like it. It does scream "Anne of Green Gables" but that's not necessarily a problem.

I think it's lovely - it's a nice sounding word in its own right and a nice combination of feminine and strong. Depends on whether the baby is here yet or not as to whether you think it will fit!

I love the books too, but I agree it's very Anne of Green Gables. It's the first thing most people who recognise the name would think of - it's not a common enough name for there to be any ambiguity ifyswim. I feel the same about Scout, Atticus etc.

And its a bit pants if your daughter hates the books. My two elder daughters recently read an abridged version of the book. Dd2 absolutely adored it, dd1 just disliked it immediately, actually used the phrase "I just don't get it".

A tad too much of the Manilla envelope and Amy Marilla is making me think of Amarillo (sp?)

Anne is preferable and, in the words of Miss Cuthbert "a real good sensible name"

Marilla is the sort of name I can't imagine Marilla choosing for herself, too frilly and made-up sounding.

Cordelia might work, and is a nod to the book.

Marilla would say 'stuff and nonsense' to naming a child Marilla.

Indeed she would

It sounds lovely

I love it - AOGG fan here. It is strong and beautiful.

How about Marilla Katherine (got to be a K, naturally )?

I know every name has cruel-nickname potential, but this one screams "Marilla the Gorilla"
I like the name, perhaps use it as a middle name to ease the teasing potential?

Love it. Do it. Marilla Elizabeth is beautiful.

Too similar sounding to gorilla!