Mara
Mara is a girl's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Bitter or strength.
Origin and history
Mara is a classic given name derived from the Hebrew word for bitter or sorrowful. It gained historical recognition through the biblical Book of Ruth and has maintained steady usage in the United States. Today, it is appreciated as a brief, elegant alternative to longer names like Maria or Mary.
Popularity in the United States
24,038 babies in the United States have been named Mara since 1880. It ranks #937 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #571.
States where it is most popular
- CA (12.4 %)
- NY (10.9 %)
- OH (7 %)
- PA (6.4 %)
- MN (6.1 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 0 |
| 1890-1900 | 6 |
| 1900-1910 | 0 |
| 1910-1920 | 67 |
| 1920-1930 | 130 |
| 1930-1940 | 145 |
| 1940-1950 | 327 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,417 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,940 |
| 1970-1980 | 2,565 |
| 1980-1990 | 2,623 |
| 1990-2000 | 3,889 |
| 2000-2010 | 4,038 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,852 |
| 2020-2029 | 3,039 |
Famous people named Mara
- Mara Wilson: Actress, Writer
- Mara Liasson: Journalist, Political Correspondent
Fun facts
- The name originates from the Hebrew word 'marah', meaning bitter, referenced in the Old Testament Book of Ruth.
- In Scottish Gaelic, Mara is an independent word meaning 'sea' or 'ocean'.