"bitter"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Mara
Pronunciation: [ m-AHR-uh ]
Does Mara flow with your last name?
Ancient, stark, and quietly beautiful
Jewish
Irish
Slavic
Spanish
English
Classic
Strong
Elegant
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Mara
Same sound, same style — different options
Meaning & Origin
"sea of bitterness"
Origin: Hebrew via Mary
Language: English
"strength, power"
Origin: Aramaic
Language: English
Browse names with similar meanings:
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Mara
See all →What the Mara report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Mara the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Mara
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Mara head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
The Story of Mara
Mara comes from the Hebrew word for 'bitter,' most famously used in the Book of Ruth when Naomi, having lost her husband and sons, asks to be called Mara instead of Naomi ('pleasant'): 'Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.' Despite this sorrowful origin, the name has been embraced for its quiet strength — bitterness in Hebrew also evokes resilience and depth of experience.
Mara has been steadily climbing as parents seek short, strong names that feel both ancient and modern. Its resemblance to fashionable names like Sara and Clara, combined with its distinctive single-syllable feel, has made it a sleeper hit among parents who want something understated but memorable.
In Celtic traditions, Mara is associated with the sea. In Slavic folklore, Mara (or Mora) is a spirit of nightmares and night terrors. In Buddhism, Mara is the demon of illusion who tempted the Buddha. The name carries a fascinating tension between darkness and beauty across world cultures.
Historical Record
Mara first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 22,860 babies have been named Mara in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mara is a hidden gem — rare but distinctive , currently ranked #588 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Mara appears in the Old Testament as the name Naomi gave herself after her family's death
- In Hindu mythology, Mara is the god of temptation and worldly attachment
- The name shares a root with the word 'marah,' a bitter spring mentioned in Exodus
Mara in Other Languages
Irish
Máire
Arabic
مارا
Hebrew
מָרָה
Russian
Мара
Spanish
Mara
Popularity Over Time
#588
Current Rank
Rising
Trend
Hidden Gem
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mara
M
Mara Wilson
Actor
1987
American actress who played Matilda in the 1996 film adaptation of Roald Dahl's classic novel
R
Rooney Mara
Actor
1985
American actress known for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Carol, Academy Award nominee
M
Mara Jade Skywalker Fictional
Other
Beloved character from the Star Wars Expanded Universe, Emperor's Hand turned Jedi Master and wife of Luke Skywalker
Names You Might Also Love
See all →
Sloan
Girl
"army host, expedition"
#762
Drew
Girl
"wise"
#695
Charleigh
Girl
"strong, manly"
#763
Marilyn
Girl
"beloved, wished-for child (from Hebrew Miriam via Mary)"
#666
Kelsey
Girl
"ship's victory"
#670
Compare Mara with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #588
- Total SSA Count
- 514
- Cultural Origins
- Jewish Irish Slavic Spanish English
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, Irish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, Spanish 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 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mara
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Mara fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Boy Name
Mara is also used as a boy name, ranked #30642.
View Mara as a boy name →Similar Names
See all names like Mara →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Mara with...
Same Origin Names (Jewish)
See all Jewish names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Mara
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Mara and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Mara sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Sloan
Girl
Old Irish origin
"army host, expedition"
#762 in US
Drew
Girl
Welsh origin
"wise"
#695 in US
Charleigh
Girl
Old High German origin
"strong, manly"
#763 in US
Marilyn
Girl
Hebrew via Latin origin
"beloved, wished-for child (from Hebre..."
#666 in US
Kelsey
Girl
Old English ceol plus sige origin
"ship's victory"
#670 in US
Winnie
Girl
Welsh origin
"fair, white, blessed"
#549 in US
Trinity
Girl
Latin origin
"trio, the number three"
#407 in US
Monroe
Girl
Gaelic/Scottish origin
"mouth of the River Roe"
#571 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Mara's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mara
What does the name Mara mean?
"bitter" (from Hebrew). "sea of bitterness" (from Hebrew via Mary). "strength, power" (from Aramaic). Mara comes from the Hebrew word for 'bitter,' most famously used in the Book of Ruth when Naomi, having lost her husband and sons, asks to be called Mara instead of Naomi ('pleasant'): 'Call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.' Despite this sorrowful origin, the name has been embraced for its quiet strength — bitterness in Hebrew also evokes resilience and depth of experience.
What is the origin of the name Mara?
Mara has Hebrew, Hebrew via Mary, Aramaic, Jewish, Irish, Slavic, Spanish, and English origins. In Hebrew, it means "bitter". In Hebrew via Mary, it means "sea of bitterness". In Aramaic, it means "strength, power".
Is Mara a boy or girl name?
Mara is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #588. As a boy name, it is ranked #30642. Mara is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Mara?
Mara is pronounced m-AHR-uh.
How popular is the name Mara?
Mara is currently ranked #588 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are good middle names for Mara?
Popular middle name pairings include Mara Jane, Mara Grace, Mara Louise, Mara Elizabeth, Mara Rose, Mara Claire, and Mara Elise.
What are good sibling names for Mara?
Names that pair well with Mara as siblings include Nora, Cora, Lena, Eli, Simon, and Jonah.
How many syllables does Mara have?
Mara has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Mara a common or rare name?
Mara is moderately common, ranked #588 for girls in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What girl names are similar to Mara?
About the Name Mara
Mara is a girl name with Jewish, Irish, Slavic, Spanish, and English origins . The name means "bitter" in Hebrew .
Is Mara a boy or girl name? Mara is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #588 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #30,642. Mara is more commonly used as a girl name.
Mara is currently ranked #588 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Mara has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-AHR-uh, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Alternative spellings of Mara include Maria, Margaret, Margot, Mary, Mariana . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Hebrew Names
Browse all names with this origin
M
Names Starting with M
More girl names like Mara
Rising Names
Names gaining popularity right now
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Girl Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
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