Skip to main content

Mara

The name Mara seems to come from a few different possible origins. Firstly, Mara is a Hebrew name that means "bitter". It was taken by Naomi in the Old Testament at Ruth 1:20.  Since it does mean "bitter" or "sorrow", she took it as an expression of her grief after her husband and sons died.


As another possibility, Mara is the Hungarian variant of Maria and the Croatian and Serbian variant of Marija.  Of course Maria is the Latin form of the Greek Μαρια which comes from the Hebrew  מִרְיָם or Mary.  Marija also comes from Maria.  The name Mary comes from the Hebrew name  מִרְיָם  or Miryam which does not have a known meaning. Theories include "sea of bitterness", "rebelliousness" and "wished for child." However! There is a possibility that Mary comes from an Egyptian name that is partly derived from mry which means "beloved," or mr which means "love".

Whew! Sorry about all of that technical jargon. The point is, even though this name potentially means "bitter", Mary and Maria are notably two of the most-used feminine names in history. None of the parents over the years seemed to mind that it means "bitter" so I don't think parents today will care either.

Mara is a beautiful name: she is short and sassy, sweet and bold.  She's also related to a ton of other M names that come in various languages like Miriam, Mariska, Marilyn, Molly, Marielle, Mia, Moira, Maureen, and Marianne.

As for popularity, Mara is sitting in the sweet spot between common and unusual. She ranks at #800 in the US. Mara first appeared in the US in 1892 when it was used for 6 baby girls. It was not on record again until 1911 when it gained regular usage. The birth count hit triple digits in 1951, peaking at 441 births in 1990 (#539).  Mara has consistently been in the Top 1000 since 1950.

Source
Famous Maras include 3 actresses: Mara Wilson, Kate Mara and Rooney Mara. There is also a fashion designer named Mara Hoffman.   On the mythological side, Mara (or Marzanna) is the Slavic goddess of winter, death and harvest.  Mara is also a goddess in Latvian myths.

What do you think of this name? Do you prefer a different variation of Mary?

Sibling Name Ideas: 
Sisters: Abigail, Anna, Clara, Elena, Hannah, Leah, Naomi, Ruth, Vera
Brothers: Asher, Eli, Henry, Ian,  Jonah, Liam, Nathan, Noah, Sean

Middle Name Ideas: 
Mara Abilene
Mara Elizabeth
Mara Genevieve
Mara Josephine
Mara June

As a Middle Name:
Anneliese Mara
Eleanor Mara
Lillian Mara
Lorelei Mara
Violet Mara

Comments

I don't think Mara is quite my style - I'd probably prefer Miriam, or even Amara.

Sponsored by:

Popular posts from this blog

From Liam to Luna: These Were The Hottest Baby Names of 2023

Top Trending Baby Names in the US from Births in 2023 According to the Social Security Administration  Choosing the perfect name for your baby is a significant decision, and many parents look to current trends for inspiration. In 2023, certain names have captured the hearts of parents across the United States.  Let's dive into the top ten trending baby names for boys and girls and explore what makes them so popular. Top 10 Baby Boy Names 1. Liam: A name of Irish origin meaning "strong-willed warrior," Liam has been a favorite for several years due to its simplicity and strength. It could be used to honor a William. 2. Noah: This biblical name, meaning "rest" or "comfort," continues to be a top choice for its timeless appeal. 3. Oliver: With roots in Latin, meaning "olive tree," Oliver is beloved for its classic yet modern feel. It works great for any age. 4. James: A traditional name of Hebrew origin meaning "supplanter," James rema

The Great Long List of Excellent Name Ideas for Modern Girls [Part Two]

For anyone considering baby names for a future daughter, finding the right choice isn't always the easiest task. There are many factors at play, including how the name sounds and flows with your surname, potential nicknames, the name's popularity, ease of spelling and pronunciation, and the name's meaning. All of these aspects are things that should be considered when choosing a name for a child. However, some people just need somewhere to start before delving deeper. If you're in need of a launch pad, consider this list a great beginning. Last week we took a look at names starting with A-M, all of which would be great for a modern girl. Now, browse these names from N-Z for even more inspiration! Naomi Natalie Natasha Nell Niamh Nicole Noelle Noa Nola Nora Norah Nova Octavia Odelia Odessa Odette Olive Olivia Olivine Olympia Oona Ophelia Ottilie Ottoline Paige Paisley Pearl Penelope Peony Phaedra Philippa Phoebe Piper Poppy Prisc

The Great Long List of Excellent Name Ideas for Modern Girls [Part One]

Are you expecting a daughter? Surely you have pondered names, by now. Finding the right choice isn't as easy as one would hope. There are many factors at play, including how the name sounds and flows with your surname, potential nicknames, the name's popularity, ease of spelling and pronunciation, and the name's meaning. All of these aspects are things that should be considered when choosing a name for a child. However, some people just need somewhere to start before delving deeper. If you're in need of a launch pad, consider this list a great beginning. Below is a list of girl names from A-M that would be beautiful on a modern girl. If you can't find something you like here, wait for the next article that covers N-Z. Adele Adeline Agatha Ainsley Alexandra Alice Amelia Antonia Aria Athena Audrey Augusta Aurora Aveline Azalea Bailey Beatrice Bellamy Belle Bethany Bianca Blair Blythe Briar Brielle Bronwyn Brynn Bryony Caia Calista C

Archive

Show more