Mara Name Meaning

Helen Doanna

By Helen Doanna

Lastest Updated July 9, 2024
Home » Baby Names » Mara Name Meaning

Fact: In the Bible, the name Mara was embodied by Naomi, the mother-in-law of Ruth, to grief the loss of her sons and husband.

Continue Reading…
A Deep Dive

Mara Overview

Meaning

Bitter, the sea

Gender

Girl

Origin

Hebrew

Etymology

Derived from the Hebrew name “Marah,” meaning “bitter.”

Religion

Hinduism

Pronunciation

/ˈmɑrə/

Popularity

Mara is recognized in various countries, including Spain, Germany, and the USA. In the USA, Mara ranked #581 for girls in 2023.

Syllable

2 syllables

Length

4 letters

Numerology

6 (Nurturing, Responsible, Balanced)

Name Styles

Short, Exotic, Vintage, Nature-inspired

Associated Traits

Strong, resilient, compassionate, elegant

Name Day

August 15th
A Deep Dive

Mara Variations in Different Cultures

Popular Variations

Maria, Mariah, Mary, Mari, Maren, Maura, Maris, Marae, Mariah, Mariam

Common Nicknames

Mar, Mimi, Mae, Mari, Rara, Mara-bear, Maz, Mimi, M, Arie

Diminutives

Mari, Mar, Mimi, Mae, Rara

Famous People

  • Mara Wilson
    (American Actress)
  • Mara Justine
    (American Pop Singer)
  • Mara Teigen
    (American Model)
  • Mara Brock Akil
    (American Screenwriter)
  • Mara Escalante
    (Mexican Actress)

Pop Culture Icons and Works

  • Mara Jade
    ("Star Wars" Expanded Universe, Novel Series)
  • "Mara Dyer" Trilogy
    (Novel Series)
  • Mara
    ("The Sword of Truth" Series, Novel Series)
  • "Mara and the Firebringer"
    (Film)
  • Mara Carlyle
    ("Spontaneous" Film)

Places

  • Campo Mara Town
    (Zulia, Venezuela)
  • Mara Town
    (Aragon, Spain)
  • Mara Locality
    (Apurimac, Peru)
  • Mara Village
    (Sardegna, Italy)

What Is the Meaning of Mara?

Mara means “bitter” or “the sea,” symbolizing strength and resilience. Those named Mara often have a deep, introspective nature and possess a strong, unwavering spirit.

What Is the Origin of The Name Mara?

Mara has Hebrew origins, derived from the Hebrew word “מָרָא” (marah), meaning “bitter.”

Mara Name Popularity

Popularity Chart of the Name Mara in the U.S. over the Years

United States flagUnited States#5402021#6182022#5812023
Top 3 Rankings#5381990#5402021#5521989

Annual Statistics Breakdown for Mara

YearName RankingNumber of BirthsBirth Rate (%)
2023581
(+37 from 2022)
513
(+35 from 2022)
0.02933
2022618
(-78 from 2021)
478
(-90 from 2021)
0.02666
2021540
(+86 from 2020)
568
(+105 from 2020)
0.03170
2020626
(+37 from 2019)
463
(+25 from 2019)
0.02619
2019663
(+16 from 2018)
438
(+8 from 2018)
0.02387
2018679
(-12 from 2017)
430
(-10 from 2017)
0.02312
2017667
(+17 from 2016)
440
(+13 from 2016)
0.02329
2016684
(+52 from 2015)
427
(+44 from 2015)
0.02206
2015736
(-44 from 2014)
383
(-26 from 2014)
0.01963
2014692
(+50 from 2013)
409
(+43 from 2013)
0.02091
2013742
(+58 from 2012)
366
(+31 from 2012)
0.01899
2012800
(+46 from 2011)
335
(+23 from 2011)
0.01727
2011846
(+19 from 2010)
312
(+4 from 2010)
0.01610
2010865
(-113 from 2009)
308
(-69 from 2009)
0.01571
2009752
(+59 from 2008)
377
(+22 from 2008)
0.01862
2008811
(-62 from 2007)
355
(-34 from 2007)
0.01704
2007749
(-67 from 2006)
389
(-26 from 2006)
0.01838
2006682
(-11 from 2005)
415
No change from 2005
0.01985
2005671
(-32 from 2004)
415
(-12 from 2004)
0.02045
2004639
(-1 from 2003)
427
(+10 from 2003)
0.02116
2003638
(-30 from 2002)
417
(-3 from 2002)
0.02078
2002608
(+13 from 2001)
420
(+15 from 2001)
0.02127
2001621
(-16 from 2000)
405
(-13 from 2000)
0.02044
2000605
(+40 from 1999)
418
(+55 from 1999)
0.02094
1999645
(-55 from 1998)
363
(-48 from 1998)
0.01865
1998590
(-22 from 1997)
411
(-1 from 1997)
0.02120
1997568
(+16 from 1996)
412
(+19 from 1996)
0.02158
1996584
(+40 from 1995)
393
(+43 from 1995)
0.02050
1995624
(-18 from 1994)
350
(-20 from 1994)
0.01821
1994606
(+5 from 1993)
370
(-5 from 1993)
0.01898
1993611
(+2 from 1992)
375
(+4 from 1992)
0.01902
1992613
(-35 from 1991)
371
(-29 from 1991)
0.01851
1991578
(-40 from 1990)
400
(-43 from 1990)
0.01967
1990538
(+14 from 1989)
443
(+33 from 1989)
0.02156
1989552
(+50 from 1988)
410
(+79 from 1988)
0.02058
1988602
(+84 from 1987)
331
(+62 from 1987)
0.01721
1987686
(+137 from 1986)
269
(+65 from 1986)
0.01435
1986823
(-14 from 1985)
204
(+1 from 1985)
0.01105
1985809
(-92 from 1984)
203
(-27 from 1984)
0.01099
1984717
(-11 from 1983)
230
(-11 from 1983)
0.01275
1983706
(+18 from 1982)
241
(+2 from 1982)
0.01347
1982724
(-14 from 1981)
239
(+3 from 1981)
0.01317
1981710
(-36 from 1980)
236
(-23 from 1980)
0.01320
1980674
(+25 from 1979)
259
(+17 from 1979)
0.01455
1979699
(-80 from 1978)
242
(-31 from 1978)
0.01404
1978619
(+49 from 1977)
273
(+37 from 1977)
0.01661
1977668
(-95 from 1976)
236
(-50 from 1976)
0.01435
1976573
(+72 from 1975)
286
(+49 from 1975)
0.01819
1975645
(+21 from 1974)
237
(+10 from 1974)
0.01518
1974666
(-39 from 1973)
227
(-15 from 1973)
0.01449
1973627
(-34 from 1972)
242
(-28 from 1972)
0.01557
1972593
(+33 from 1971)
270
(+3 from 1971)
0.01674
1971626
(-20 from 1970)
267
(-19 from 1970)
0.01523
1970606
(+12 from 1969)
286
(+28 from 1969)
0.01561
1969618
(+35 from 1968)
258
(+37 from 1968)
0.01464
1968653
(-17 from 1967)
221
(-6 from 1967)
0.01293
1967636
(+90 from 1966)
227
(+42 from 1966)
0.01322
1966726
(-21 from 1965)
185
(-9 from 1965)
0.01054
1965705
(+67 from 1964)
194
(+15 from 1964)
0.01062
1964772
(+21 from 1963)
179
(+8 from 1963)
0.00914
1963793
(+13 from 1962)
171
(+3 from 1962)
0.00860
1962806
(-39 from 1961)
168
(-18 from 1961)
0.00829
1961767
(+71 from 1960)
186
(+34 from 1960)
0.00895
1960838
(+44 from 1959)
152
(+14 from 1959)
0.00731
1959882
(-116 from 1958)
138
(-32 from 1958)
0.00664
1958766
(+61 from 1957)
170
(+20 from 1957)
0.00823
1957827
(-109 from 1956)
150
(-30 from 1956)
0.00715
1956718
(+26 from 1955)
180
(+17 from 1955)
0.00874
1955744
(-44 from 1954)
163
(-13 from 1954)
0.00813
1954700
(+186 from 1953)
176
(+63 from 1953)
0.00884
1953886
(-78 from 1952)
113
(-13 from 1952)
0.00586
1952808
(+63 from 1951)
126
(+20 from 1951)
0.00662
1951871
(+45 from 1950)
106
(+12 from 1950)
0.00574
1950916
(+335 from 1949)
94
(+41 from 1949)
0.00535
19491251
(+248 from 1948)
53
(+15 from 1948)
0.00302
19481499
(-230 from 1947)
38
(-13 from 1947)
0.00218
19471269
(+314 from 1946)
51
(+20 from 1946)
0.00281
19461583
(-181 from 1945)
31
(-2 from 1945)
0.00192
19451402
(+176 from 1944)
33
(+6 from 1944)
0.00245
19441578
(-22 from 1943)
27
(-2 from 1943)
0.00198
19431556
(+204 from 1942)
29
(+6 from 1942)
0.00202
19421760
(-111 from 1941)
23
No change from 1941
0.00165
19411649
(+196 from 1940)
23
(+4 from 1940)
0.00185
19401845
(-301 from 1939)
19
(-5 from 1939)
0.00161
19391544
(+1637 from 1938)
24
(+16 from 1938)
0.00212
19383181
(-864 from 1937)
8
(-5 from 1937)
0.00070
19372317
(-724 from 1936)
13
(-9 from 1936)
0.00118
19361593
(+126 from 1935)
22
(+2 from 1935)
0.00204
19351719
(+847 from 1934)
20
(+9 from 1934)
0.00184
19342566
(-162 from 1933)
11
(-1 from 1933)
0.00102
19332404
(+86 from 1932)
12
No change from 1932
0.00115
19322490
(+259 from 1931)
12
(+2 from 1931)
0.00108
19312749
(-323 from 1930)
10
(-3 from 1930)
0.00091
19302426
(+11 from 1929)
13
No change from 1929
0.00111
19292437
(-153 from 1928)
13
(-2 from 1928)
0.00112
19282284
(+268 from 1927)
15
(+2 from 1927)
0.00125
19272552
(-295 from 1926)
13
(-3 from 1926)
0.00105
19262257
(-138 from 1925)
16
(-2 from 1925)
0.00130
19252119
(+290 from 1924)
18
(+3 from 1924)
0.00143
19242409
(+717 from 1923)
15
(+5 from 1923)
0.00116
19233126
(+529 from 1922)
10
(+2 from 1922)
0.00080
19223655
(-1277 from 1921)
8
(-7 from 1921)
0.00064
19212378
(+1579 from 1920)
15
(+8 from 1920)
0.00117
19203957
(-952 from 1919)
7
(-3 from 1919)
0.00056
19193005
(-486 from 1918)
10
(-3 from 1918)
0.00085
19182519
(+33 from 1917)
13
(+1 from 1917)
0.00108
19172552
(+1000 from 1916)
12
(+5 from 1916)
0.00107
19163552
(-118 from 1915)
7
No change from 1915
0.00064
19153434
(+184 from 1914)
7
(+2 from 1914)
0.00068
19143618
(-639 from 1912)
5
No change from 1912
0.00063
19130
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19122979
(-1187 from 1911)
5
(-3 from 1911)
0.00085
19111792
(-514 from 1892)
8
(+2 from 1892)
0.00181
19100
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19090
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19080
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19070
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19060
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19050
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19040
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19030
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19020
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19010
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
19000
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18990
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18980
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18970
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18960
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18950
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18940
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18930
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18921278
First SSA data recorded
6
First SSA data recorded
0.00267
18910
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18900
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18890
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18880
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18870
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18860
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18850
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18840
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18830
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18820
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18810
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000
18800
No SSA data
0
No SSA data
0.0000

American States Popularity Rankings for Mara

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Number of Births )

California (CA)

California (CA) flagCalifornia (CA)#6312021#7232022#5932023

New York (NY)

New York (NY) flagNew York (NY)#5672021#8402022#7702023

Ohio (OH)

Ohio (OH) flagOhio (OH)#3652021#3322022#3932023

Pennsylvania (PA)

Pennsylvania (PA) flagPennsylvania (PA)#5212021#6992022#6432023

Minnesota (MN)

Minnesota (MN) flagMinnesota (MN)#1432021#1942022#1832023

Illinois (IL)

Illinois (IL) flagIllinois (IL)#4912021#6892022#5202023

Michigan (MI)

Michigan (MI) flagMichigan (MI)#3132021#3792022#2562023

Texas (TX)

Texas (TX) flagTexas (TX)#11252021#12092022#10512023

Wisconsin (WI)

Wisconsin (WI) flagWisconsin (WI)#2652021#2772022#1882023

Florida (FL)

Florida (FL) flagFlorida (FL)#7692021#9312022#11342023

Washington (WA)

Washington (WA) flagWashington (WA)#3242021#4672022#3162023

New Jersey (NJ)

New Jersey (NJ) flagNew Jersey (NJ)#10052021#6562022#12982023

Indiana (IN)

Indiana (IN) flagIndiana (IN)#5322021#6082022#5772023

Massachusetts (MA)

Massachusetts (MA) flagMassachusetts (MA)#4472021#6432022#6402023

Colorado (CO)

Colorado (CO) flagColorado (CO)#5502021#5502022#5452023

Missouri (MO)

Missouri (MO) flagMissouri (MO)#4452021#7042022#6952023

Georgia (GA)

Georgia (GA) flagGeorgia (GA)#7712021#12852022#12882023

Iowa (IA)

Iowa (IA) flagIowa (IA)#3092021#2322022#2462023

Virginia (VA)

Virginia (VA) flagVirginia (VA)#5862021#6332022#5092023

North Carolina (NC)

North Carolina (NC) flagNorth Carolina (NC)#7142021#10132022#7842023

Arizona (AZ)

Arizona (AZ) flagArizona (AZ)#6662021#10132022#6722023

Oregon (OR)

Oregon (OR) flagOregon (OR)#3412021#3482022#5852023

Maryland (MD)

Maryland (MD) flagMaryland (MD)#6772021#7782022#5462023

Utah (UT)

Utah (UT) flagUtah (UT)#3632021#4592022#5142023

Connecticut (CT)

Connecticut (CT) flagConnecticut (CT)#5312021#3342022#5002023

Kansas (KS)

Kansas (KS) flagKansas (KS)#3892020#5552021#4772023

Tennessee (TN)

Tennessee (TN) flagTennessee (TN)#5832021#9792022#8122023

Kentucky (KY)

Kentucky (KY) flagKentucky (KY)#6132021#7072022#8142023

Nebraska (NE)

Nebraska (NE) flagNebraska (NE)#4722020#4662022#2292023

South Dakota (SD)

South Dakota (SD) flagSouth Dakota (SD)#1062019#1602021#1502022

District of Columbia (DC)

District of Columbia (DC) flagDistrict of Columbia (DC)#3401972#1801998#2162022

North Dakota (ND)

North Dakota (ND) flagNorth Dakota (ND)#1372017#1352021#1802023

South Carolina (SC)

South Carolina (SC) flagSouth Carolina (SC)#8112013#8372014#8612020

Oklahoma (OK)

Oklahoma (OK) flagOklahoma (OK)#8472012#6962017#6942019

Alabama (AL)

Alabama (AL) flagAlabama (AL)#8602006#8922014#9122019

West Virginia (WV)

West Virginia (WV) flagWest Virginia (WV)#3081992#2942002#3632021

Arkansas (AR)

Arkansas (AR) flagArkansas (AR)#4132009#6192016#6452022

Nevada (NV)

Nevada (NV) flagNevada (NV)#5162001#6322016#4762020

New Hampshire (NH)

New Hampshire (NH) flagNew Hampshire (NH)#1931978#1951979#2412009

Idaho (ID)

Idaho (ID) flagIdaho (ID)#4362016#2312022

Alaska (AK)

Alaska (AK) flagAlaska (AK)#1851985#2161987

Maine (ME)

Maine (ME) flagMaine (ME)#2062002#2512015

Montana (MT)

Montana (MT) flagMontana (MT)#1641990#2542008

Delaware (DE)

Delaware (DE) flagDelaware (DE)#1861992

Vermont (VT)

Vermont (VT) flagVermont (VT)#1222006

New Mexico (NM)

New Mexico (NM) flagNew Mexico (NM)#4441991

Popularity Rankings for Mara in other Countries and American Territories

(From the Most to Least Popular, Based on Rankings)

Popularity in Basque Country, Spain

Basque Country, Spain flagBasque Country, Spain#162020#142021#162022

Popularity in Galicia, Spain

Galicia, Spain flagGalicia, Spain#352020#332021#412022

Popularity in Germany

Germany flagGermany#462021#422022#412023

Popularity in Portugal

Portugal flagPortugal#792018#422019#462020

Popularity in Switzerland

Switzerland flagSwitzerland#462020#492021#422022

Popularity in Croatia

Croatia flagCroatia#472021#472022#442023

Popularity in Spain

Spain flagSpain#812020#652021#802022

Popularity in Austria

Austria flagAustria#1002020#922021#922022

Popularity in Scotland

Scotland flagScotland#1642021#1392022#1232023

Popularity in Argentina

Argentina flagArgentina#1822006#1512007#1662010

Popularity in Canada

Canada flagCanada#3632021#3802022#2822023

Popularity in Ireland

Ireland flagIreland#2842021#3572022#4042023

Popularity in Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland flagNorthern Ireland#3362019#3332020#3282023

Popularity in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico flagPuerto Rico#6502000#4182002#4052008

Popularity in England and Wales

England and Wales flagEngland and Wales#4322019#5052020#4492021

Popularity in Quebec, Canada

Quebec, Canada flagQuebec, Canada#8592020#8412021#6772022

Popularity in Poland

Poland flagPoland#7292013

Source: Social Security Administration (SSA) and Other National Sources

Is Mara a Name for Boys or Girls?

Mara is typically a female name. This usage is rooted in its Hebrew origins and its frequent appearance in various cultural and literary contexts as a name for girls.

Variants, Nicknames, Diminutives, and Ideal Middle Names for Mara

Mara in Famous People Names, Pop Culture, and Places

  • Mara Wilson (Actress, 1987): An American actress known for her roles in "Matilda" and "Mrs. Doubtfire."
  • Mara Justine (Pop Singer, 2002): A pop singer who gained fame as a finalist on "America's Got Talent."
  • Mara Teigen (Model, 1994): A model and social media personality known for her resemblance to Angelina Jolie.
  • Mara Brock Akil (Screenwriter, 1970): An American screenwriter and television producer known for creating "Girlfriends" and "Being Mary Jane."
  • Mara Escalante (Actress, 1968): A Mexican actress and comedian best known for her role in the sitcom "María de todos los ángeles."
  • Mara Jade ("Star Wars" Expanded Universe, 1991 Novel Series): A former Emperor's Hand who later becomes a Jedi Master and the wife of Luke Skywalker.
  • "Mara Dyer" Trilogy (2011 Novel Series): A young girl who discovers she has unusual powers after surviving a traumatic accident.
  • Mara ("The Sword of Truth" Series, 1994 Novel Series): A Mord-Sith character who plays a significant role in the fantasy series.
  • "Mara and the Firebringer" (2015 Film): A teenager who discovers she has the ability to see Norse gods and must prevent Ragnarok.
  • Mara Carlyle ("Spontaneous," 2020 Film): A high school senior dealing with the spontaneous combustion of her classmates.
  • Campo Mara Town (Zulia, Venezuela): A town in the Mara Municipality of Zulia, noted for its proximity to Campo Monagas and La Sierrita.
  • Mara Town(Aragon, Spain): A small town in the Aragon region, characterized by its historical significance and local charm.
  • Mara Locality (Apurimac, Peru): A locality in the Apurimac region, known for its picturesque setting in the Peruvian Andes.
  • Mara Village (Sardegna, Italy): A village in Sardinia, Italy, notable for its traditional Sardinian culture and beautiful coastal views.

Similar Names to Mara

Sibling Names for Mara

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