How popular is the baby name Marlesa in the United States right now? How popular was it historically? Use the popularity graph and data table below to find out! Plus, see all the blog posts that mention the name Marlesa.

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Popularity of the baby name Marlesa


Posts that mention the name Marlesa

Interesting one-hit wonder names in the U.S. baby name data

single flower

They came, they went, and they never came back!

These baby names are one-hit wonders in the U.S. baby name data. That is, they’ve only popped up once, ever, in the entire dataset of U.S. baby names (which accounts for all names given to at least 5 U.S. babies per year since 1880).

There are thousands of one-hit wonders in the dataset, but the names below have interesting stories behind their single appearance, so these are the one-hits I’m writing specific posts about. Just click on a name to read more.

2020s

  • (none yet)

2010s

2000s

1990s

1980s

1970s

1960s

1950s

1940s

1930s

1920s

1910s

1900s

  • (none yet)

1890s

As I discover (and write about) more one-hit wonders in the data, I’ll add the names/links to this page. In the meanwhile, do you have any favorite one-hit wonder baby names?

Image: Adapted from Solitary Poppy by Andy Beecroft under CC BY-SA 2.0.

[Latest update: Dec. 2023]

Where did the baby name Marlesa come from in 1986?

Beauty queen Marlesa Ball
Marlesa Ball

The baby name Marlesa appeared in the U.S. baby name for the first and (so far) only time in 1986:

  • 1988: unlisted
  • 1987: unlisted
  • 1986: 11 baby girls named Marlesa [debut]
  • 1985: unlisted
  • 1984: unlisted

Why?

Because of beauty queen Marlesa Ball.

After being crowned Miss Georgia in June of 1986, she advanced to the Miss America pageant, which was held in Atlantic City on September 13. The competition was televised nationally on NBC.

Marlesa didn’t end up winning, but her vocal performance of “Amazing Grace” did help her earn a spot in the top 10.

These days, Marlesa is living in Alabama with her husband and two sons (named Asher and Tyse). Here’s Marlesa’s website.

What are your thoughts on the name Marlesa?

Sources: Marlesa Ball Greiner: Miss Georgia 1986, Miss America 1987 – Wikipedia, SSA