"mistress, lady of the house"
Origin: Aramaic
Language: Aramaic
Martha
Pronunciation: [ m-AHRTH-uh ]
Does Martha flow with your last name?
A no-nonsense Biblical classic coming back with quiet confidence
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Meaning & Origin
"lady, noblewoman"
Origin: Aramaic marta
Language: English
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The Story of Martha
Martha comes from the Aramaic word marta, meaning mistress or lady — the feminine form of the word for lord or master. It appears in the New Testament as the sister of Lazarus and Mary of Bethany, who welcomed Jesus into her home. Martha's industrious hospitality made her a patron saint of homemakers, cooks, and servants. The name spread throughout the Christian world via the Gospels and has been used continuously for nearly two thousand years.
Martha was a top-10 name in the US from the 1880s through the 1940s. It fell sharply in the 1960s-1990s as it began to feel old-fashioned. Now it is experiencing a significant revival as parents rediscover confident, old-fashioned names with genuine historical weight. Martha Stewart, while sometimes divisive, gave the name a modern association with domestic mastery and entrepreneurial drive.
Martha Washington, wife of George Washington and first First Lady of the United States, gave the name enormous prestige in early American history. She appeared on US currency before any other woman — on an 1886 Silver Certificate. In the Gospels, Martha represents the active, practical complement to Mary's contemplative spirituality, making her an enduring model of industrious Christian virtue.
Historical Record
Martha first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 176,869 babies have been named Martha in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Martha is past its peak , currently ranked #667 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Martha Washington appeared on US currency before any other woman — on an 1886 Silver Certificate
- The Biblical Martha is the patron saint of homemakers, cooks, and domestic workers
- Martha re-entered the US top 500 in 2020 after decades of decline, reflecting the broader vintage name revival
Martha in Other Languages
Greek
Μάρθα
French
Marthe
German
Martha
Italian
Marta
Russian
Марфа
Spanish
Marta
Popularity Over Time
#667
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Martha
M
Martha Stewart
Business
1941
American businesswoman, television personality, and author who built a lifestyle empire around homemaking and entertaini...
American businesswoman, television personality, and author who built a lifestyle empire around homemaking and entertaining
M
Martha Washington
Other
1731
First Lady of the United States, wife of President George Washington, the first to appear on US currency
M
Martha of Bethany
Religious
Sister of Lazarus and Mary in the New Testament Gospels, patron saint of homemakers and cooks, who welcomed Jesus into h...
Sister of Lazarus and Mary in the New Testament Gospels, patron saint of homemakers and cooks, who welcomed Jesus into her home
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See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #667
- Total SSA Count
- 431
- Cultural Origins
- English American German Scandinavian
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mart
Marty
Mattie
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Martha
6 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Martha is also used as a boy name, ranked #7623.
View Martha as a boy name →Similar Names
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Frequently Asked Questions About Martha
What does the name Martha mean?
"mistress, lady of the house" (from Aramaic). "lady, noblewoman" (from Aramaic marta). Martha comes from the Aramaic word marta, meaning mistress or lady — the feminine form of the word for lord or master. It appears in the New Testament as the sister of Lazarus and Mary of Bethany, who welcomed Jesus into her home. Martha's industrious hospitality made her a patron saint of homemakers, cooks, and servants. The name spread throughout the Christian world via the Gospels and has been used continuously for nearly two thousand years.
What is the origin of the name Martha?
Martha has Aramaic, Aramaic marta, English, American, German, and Scandinavian origins. In Aramaic, it means "mistress, lady of the house". In Aramaic marta, it means "lady, noblewoman".
Is Martha a boy or girl name?
Martha is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #667. As a boy name, it is ranked #7623. Martha is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Martha?
Martha is pronounced m-AHRTH-uh.
How popular is the name Martha?
Martha is currently ranked #667 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Martha?
Common nicknames for Martha include Mart, Marty, and Mattie.
What are good middle names for Martha?
Popular middle name pairings include Martha Jane, Martha Elizabeth, Martha Ann, Martha Grace, Martha Louise, and Martha Claire.
What are good sibling names for Martha?
Names that pair well with Martha as siblings include Ruth, Helen, Dorothy, Henry, George, and Walter.
How many syllables does Martha have?
Martha has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Martha a common or rare name?
Martha is moderately common, ranked #667 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Martha?
About the Name Martha
Martha is a girl name with English, American, German, and Scandinavian origins . The name means "mistress, lady of the house" in Aramaic .
Is Martha a boy or girl name? Martha is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #667 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #7,623. Martha is more commonly used as a girl name.
Martha is currently ranked #667 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Martha has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-AHRTH-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Martha include Mart, Marty, and Mattie. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Martha include Martina, Marta . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis