"bitter, sorrow, grief"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Marah
Does Marah flow with your last name?
A biblical name meaning bitter — worn with honest courage by Naomi
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Christian
Jewish
American
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Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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Nicknames
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Meaning & Origin
"bitter waters (place name from Exodus)"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: Hebrew
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Things to Know About This Name
- The meaning bitter may give some parents pause, though Naomi's choice of the name Marah in scripture is seen as a powerful expression of honest grief
The Story of Marah
Marah comes from the Hebrew marah (מָרָה) meaning bitter or sorrow. It appears twice in the Hebrew Bible: first in Exodus 15:23, where the Israelites encounter bitter waters in the wilderness called Marah; and most famously in the Book of Ruth, where the grieving Naomi tells the people of Bethlehem to call her Marah rather than Naomi (meaning pleasant) — because the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. This act of renaming oneself to express grief is one of the most raw and honest moments in scripture.
Marah has been gaining gentle traction as parents seek unusual biblical names. It sits in a sweet spot between the popular Mara and the familiar Sarah, offering something that feels both ancient and fresh. The literary depth of Naomi's self-renaming gives the name a poetic gravity that appeals to parents who love names with stories behind them.
The name Marah carries one of scripture's most honest acknowledgments of grief and loss. Naomi's declaration — call me Marah, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me — has been interpreted for millennia as a profound act of faith: to bring one's full grief before God rather than pretending otherwise. For many families, this makes Marah not a sad name but a deeply honest and courageous one.
Historical Record
Marah first appeared in US Social Security records in 1964.
Over 2,347 babies have been named Marah in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Marah is past its peak , currently ranked #3,901 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- In the Book of Ruth, Naomi renamed herself Marah to express her grief after losing her husband and sons
- Marah is also a place name in Exodus — the oasis where Moses sweetened bitter water with a branch of wood
- The names Marah and Mary (Maria) may share the same Hebrew root, making Marah potentially an ancient form of Mary
Marah in Other Languages
Greek
Μάρα
Latin
Mara
French
Mara
Hebrew
מָרָה
Spanish
Mara
Japanese
マーラ
Popularity Over Time
#3,901
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Peaked 1991
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Marah
N
Naomi/Marah (Book of Ruth)
Other
Biblical matriarch who renamed herself Marah (bitter) in her grief in the Book of Ruth, one of scripture's most powerful...
Biblical matriarch who renamed herself Marah (bitter) in her grief in the Book of Ruth, one of scripture's most powerful expressions of honest lamentation before God
M
Marah Carey
Musician
Not to be confused with Mariah Carey — Marah is a distinct name from the pop star's name, though parents often consider ...
Not to be confused with Mariah Carey — Marah is a distinct name from the pop star's name, though parents often consider them related
M
Marah (biblical place)
Other
Oasis in the Sinai wilderness mentioned in Exodus 15:23-25, where Moses transformed bitter water into sweet water — the ...
Oasis in the Sinai wilderness mentioned in Exodus 15:23-25, where Moses transformed bitter water into sweet water — the name's first appearance in scripture
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Compare Marah with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,901
- Total SSA Count
- 38
- Cultural Origins
- Hebrew Christian Jewish American
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mara
Mara
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, American heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Marah
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Same Origin Names (Hebrew)
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Frequently Asked Questions About Marah
What does the name Marah mean?
"bitter, sorrow, grief" (from Hebrew). "bitter waters (place name from Exodus)" (from Hebrew). Marah comes from the Hebrew marah (מָרָה) meaning bitter or sorrow. It appears twice in the Hebrew Bible: first in Exodus 15:23, where the Israelites encounter bitter waters in the wilderness called Marah; and most famously in the Book of Ruth, where the grieving Naomi tells the people of Bethlehem to call her Marah rather than Naomi (meaning pleasant) — because the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. This act of renaming oneself to express grief is one of the most raw and honest moments in scripture.
What is the origin of the name Marah?
Marah has Hebrew, Christian, Jewish, and American origins. In Hebrew, it means "bitter, sorrow, grief". In Hebrew, it means "bitter waters (place name from Exodus)".
Is Marah a boy or girl name?
Marah is primarily used as a girl name.
How popular is the name Marah?
Marah is currently ranked #3901 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Marah?
Common nicknames for Marah include Mara and Mara.
What are good middle names for Marah?
Popular middle name pairings include Marah Grace, Marah Hope, Marah Joy, Marah Ruth, Marah Elise, Marah Claire, and Marah Beth.
What are good sibling names for Marah?
Names that pair well with Marah as siblings include Naomi, Ruth, Esther, Miriam, Ezra, Elijah, Gideon, and Selah.
How many syllables does Marah have?
Marah has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Marah a common or rare name?
Marah is an uncommon name, ranked #3901 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
What girl names are similar to Marah?
Are there other spellings for Marah?
Related spellings include Mara.
About the Name Marah
Marah is a girl name with Hebrew, Christian, Jewish, and American origins . The name means "bitter, sorrow, grief" in Hebrew .
Marah is currently ranked #3,901 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Marah has 2 syllables, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Marah include Mara and Mara. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Marah include Mara . 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