Marva: Name Popularity, History & Rankings (1880

Rank 2025

–

among girls

Babies in 2025

named Marva

How common

–

girls born in 2025

Peak year

1948

371 babies

All-time total

10,369

#1,619 all-time among girls

First recorded

1913

in Social Security records

Marva popularity over time

10,369 babies have been named Marva since 1913, according to official Social Security records. Switch measure to see births per year or the yearly rank.

Measure

Births per 1,000 babies of that sex, comparable across eras

GirlsBoys

By decade. Change compares yearly averages, so the current partial decade is on equal footing. Best rank is the name's best yearly rank within the decade.

Decade	Girls	Boys	Total	Per year	Change	Best rank
1880s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1890s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1900s	–	–	–	–	–	–
1910s	80	–	80	8	–	#1,899
1920s	394	–	394	39	+393%	#964
1930s	1,847	7	1,854	185	+371%	#334
1940s	3,115	–	3,115	312	+68%	#366
1950s	2,576	–	2,576	258	-17%	#457
1960s	1,344	–	1,344	134	-48%	#781
1970s	571	–	571	57	-58%	#1,076
1980s	281	–	281	28	-51%	#2,682
1990s	110	–	110	11	-61%	#4,463
2000s	19	–	19	2	-83%	#10,784
2010s	15	–	15	2	-21%	#17,285
2020s (to 2025)	10	–	10	2	+11%	#16,672

The story of Marva

Marva is not currently in use for newborns in the United States: fewer than five babies received the name in 2025. Its story lives in the historical record below.

Since 1913, 10,369 American babies have been named Marva. Its peak came in 1948, when 371 newborns received the name, the signature sound of the 1940s.

The chart above shows the full history: the popularity view (births per 1,000 babies) is the honest comparison across generations, since total US births have changed enormously since 1880. Switch to the rank view to see where Marva stood among all girls' names in any year, or use the compare tool to plot it against other names.

How old are people named Marva?

The median living Marva is about 72 years old; half are between 62 and 79. An estimated 6,900 people named Marva are alive in the United States today.

Estimated from births per year and Social Security period life tables; an approximation of the living age distribution, by age in years.

Marva year by year

Every year since 2001, and five-year steps back to 1880. Rank is within each sex.

Year	Girls	Girls rank	Boys	Boys rank
2025	–	–	–	–
2024	–	–	–	–
2023	5	#16,753	–	–
2022	–	–	–	–
2021	–	–	–	–
2020	5	#16,672	–	–
2019	–	–	–	–
2018	5	#17,285	–	–
2017	–	–	–	–
2016	–	–	–	–
2015	–	–	–	–
2014	5	#18,275	–	–
2013	–	–	–	–
2012	5	#18,606	–	–
2011	–	–	–	–
2010	–	–	–	–
2009	–	–	–	–
2008	–	–	–	–
2007	–	–	–	–
2006	–	–	–	–
2005	5	#18,209	–	–
2004	–	–	–	–
2003	–	–	–	–
2002	9	#10,784	–	–
2001	–	–	–	–
2000	5	#16,655	–	–
1995	9	#9,246	–	–
1990	22	#4,463	–	–
1985	23	#3,687	–	–
1980	35	#2,682	–	–
1975	46	#1,949	–	–
1970	113	#1,076	–	–
1965	125	#903	–	–
1960	172	#781	–	–
1955	261	#565	–	–
1950	315	#457	–	–
1945	263	#441	–	–
1940	297	#392	–	–
1935	187	#466	–	–
1930	69	#863	–	–
1925	44	#1,172	–	–
1920	24	#1,733	–	–
1915	10	#2,830	–	–
1910	–	–	–	–
1905	–	–	–	–
1900	–	–	–	–
1895	–	–	–	–
1890	–	–	–	–
1885	–	–	–	–
1880	–	–	–	–

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers about Marva, drawn from the same Social Security data as the charts above.

How old is the average Marva?

The median living Marva is about 72 years old. Half of all living Marvas are between 62 and 79 years old.

How many people named Marva are alive today?

An estimated 6,900 people named Marva are alive in the United States, based on 10,369 recorded births and Social Security life tables.

What does the name Marva mean?

Marva is a given name. Notable people with the name include:Marva Beck, American politician Marva Collins (1936–2015), American educator Marva Dawn (1948-2021), American Christian theologian, author, musician and educator Marva Hi

How popular is the name Marva in 2025?

Marva did not appear in the 2025 Social Security data, which means fewer than five babies received the name that year.

How many people are named Marva?

10,369 babies have been named Marva in the United States since 1913, based on Social Security card applications.

When was the name Marva most popular?

Marva peaked in 1948, when 371 newborns received the name.

Is Marva a boy or girl name?

Marva is overwhelmingly a girl's name: 100% of babies with the name.

Is the name Marva rising or falling?

Marva has been roughly stable over the past decade.

Names like Marva

Names that sound and feel close to Marva: shared sounds, similar era, similar popularity. Each links to its full history.

Compare Marva with similar names → More names starting with M →