Mara vs Willa

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

Mara

Girl #588 Most Popular 2 Syllables

Meaning

"bitter"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

Jewish Irish Slavic Spanish English

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#588
Total SSA Count
514
Syllables
2
Formality
Moderate

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for Mara →

Popularity Comparison

Mara Rank #588
Willa Rank #423

Willa is more popular, ranked #423 vs #588 for Mara.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

Mara ___

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

Willa ___

  • Willa Grace
  • Willa Rose
  • Willa Jane
  • Willa Mae
  • Willa Claire
  • Willa Kate

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose Mara

Nora Cora Lena Eli Simon

If you choose Willa

Hazel June Cecily Theodore Edmund

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 Mara or Willa more popular?

Willa is more popular, ranked #423 compared to Mara at #588 in the United States.

What do Mara and Willa mean?

Mara means "bitter" (Hebrew origin). Willa means "resolute protector" (Germanic origin).

Are Mara and Willa boy or girl names?

Mara is primarily a girl name. Willa is primarily a girl name.

More Comparisons

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