When they were first introduced to the American market by the National Biscuit Company in the late 19th century, Nilla Wafers were originally marketed under the simpler name "Nilla Wafers" or earlier descriptive titles like vanilla wafers. Over decades of commercial evolution, the brand name was officially shortened to Nilla to emphasize their unique vanilla flavor profile, becoming a household baking staple famous for being incorporated into traditional southern banana puddings.