Chaya vs Mara

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Chaya

Girl #599 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"living creature"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Jewish Israeli Yiddish

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#599
Total SSA Count
502
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate
Nicknames
Chay, Chayala

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Chaya →

Popularity Comparison

Chaya Rank #599
Mara Rank #588

Mara is more popular, ranked #588 vs #599 for Chaya.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Chaya ___

  • Chaya Rachel
  • Chaya Miriam
  • Chaya Sara
  • Chaya Leah
  • Chaya Ruth
  • Chaya Devorah

Mara ___

  • Mara Jane
  • Mara Grace
  • Mara Louise
  • Mara Elizabeth
  • Mara Rose
  • Mara Claire

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Chaya

Rivka Leah Tova Moshe Dovid

If you choose Mara

Nora Cora Lena Eli Simon

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chaya or Mara more popular?

Mara is more popular, ranked #588 compared to Chaya at #599 in the United States.

What do Chaya and Mara mean?

Chaya means "living creature" (Hebrew origin). Mara means "bitter" (Hebrew origin).

Are Chaya and Mara boy or girl names?

Chaya is primarily a girl name. Mara is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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← Full profile: Chaya ← Full profile: Mara Browse all baby names