How Did Marietta Get its Name?

The story of how Marietta got its name isn’t etched in stone—or even in ink, for that matter. In a city with roots stretching back to the early 1830s, the origin of its name has become a blend of fact and local lore, leaving residents to wonder: Who—or what—was Marietta?

The most widely accepted theory connects the city to Mary Cobb, the wife of U.S. Senator and Judge Thomas Willis Cobb, after whom Cobb County was named.

With Cobb’s influence looming large during the county’s early years, it’s easy to see why naming the city after his wife might have felt like a natural choice. But if that’s the case, no official documents from the time have survived to seal the story.

While details of Mary Cobb’s life remain elusive, her legacy has endured in name and lore. Her connection to Marietta reflects the customs of the era, where towns and cities were often named for influential figures or their families.

The decision may have been a symbolic nod to the Cobbs’ prominence, or perhaps an act of admiration for Mary herself, whose life was intertwined with the early days of Georgia’s development.

Though the city’s name is steeped in mystery, what’s clear is Marietta’s importance in shaping the region. From its early days as a burgeoning railroad town to its role in key Civil War events, the city has carried Mary’s name—or perhaps just her memory—through nearly two centuries of history.

Today, Marietta stands as more than just a name on a map. It’s a city rich in culture and history, one where the whispers of the past mingle with the vibrancy of the present. Whether its name was a tribute to Mary Cobb or lost to the passage of time, Marietta continues to honor her legacy with every story it tells.