Martha
Martha is a girl's name of Aramaic origin.
Meaning
Lady, mistress, or lady of the house.
Origin and history
Martha is a traditional feminine name of Aramaic origin meaning lady or mistress. It has deep Biblical roots, appearing in the New Testament as the sister of Mary and Lazarus. Though historically very popular in the U.S., its usage has become less common in recent decades.
Popularity in the United States
551,741 babies in the United States have been named Martha since 1880. It ranks #55 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #691.
States where it is most popular
- TX (8.3 %)
- CA (6 %)
- PA (5.7 %)
- OH (5.5 %)
- GA (5.4 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 13,911 |
| 1890-1900 | 19,415 |
| 1900-1910 | 21,750 |
| 1910-1920 | 59,508 |
| 1920-1930 | 86,788 |
| 1930-1940 | 77,697 |
| 1940-1950 | 95,384 |
| 1950-1960 | 83,190 |
| 1960-1970 | 41,040 |
| 1970-1980 | 17,926 |
| 1980-1990 | 13,039 |
| 1990-2000 | 9,750 |
| 2000-2010 | 6,179 |
| 2010-2019 | 3,743 |
| 2020-2029 | 2,421 |
Famous people named Martha
- Martha Stewart: Businesswoman, Television Personality
- Martha Graham: Dancer, Choreographer
- Martha Washington: First Lady
Nicknames
Marty, Matty
Fun facts
- Martha Washington was the inaugural First Lady of the United States.
- Martha was consistently among the top 50 most popular names for American girls for several decades in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.