Martha

Pronunciation: [ m-AHRTH-uh ]

Girl Name #667 Most Popular Rising 2 Syllables

A no-nonsense Biblical classic coming back with quiet confidence

English American German Scandinavian

Classic Vintage Traditional Strong

Meaning & Origin

"mistress, lady of the house"

Origin: Aramaic

Language: Aramaic

"lady, noblewoman"

Origin: Aramaic marta

Language: English

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.

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

Famous People Named Martha

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

Martha Washington

Other

1731

First Lady of the United States, wife of President George Washington, the first to appear on US currency

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

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

Martina #1162 Marta #2128

Common Nicknames

Mart Marty Mattie

Pairs Well With

Martha Jane Martha Elizabeth Martha Ann Martha Grace Martha Louise Martha Claire

Sibling Names

Ruth Helen Dorothy Henry George Walter

Also a Boy Name

Martha is also used as a boy name, ranked #7623.

View Martha as a boy name →

Similar Names

Arlene Charlene Marta Darlene Solene

Playground Safety

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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.

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.