Mara

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAR-ah /ˈmɑː.rə/High

Meaning: From Hebrew mara meaning 'bitter' or 'sorrowful'; in the Book of Ruth, Naomi asks to be called Mara after her suffering; also possibly related to Aramaic and Arabic roots meaning 'strength'High

In 30 seconds: Mara is a haunting, beautiful Hebrew name meaning 'bitter' — the name Naomi chose for herself in grief in the Book of Ruth. Simple and ancient, it is elegantly understated.

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Origin HighHebrew

MeaningFrom Hebrew mara meaning 'bitter' or 'sorrowful'; in the Book of Ruth, Naomi asks to be called Mara after her suffering; also possibly related to Aramaic and Arabic roots meaning 'strength'

U.S. rank (2025)#589 ↘ Falling

2025 U.S. births499 girls (0.03% of U.S. girls)

Peak year2021

Total births (all-time)≈ 24,034

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Mara is a Hebrew name from the root marah meaning 'bitter' or 'bitterness.' It is most directly associated with the Book of Ruth, where Naomi renames herself Mara as an expression of her sorrow. The name also connects to the place-name Marah in Exodus, where the Israelites found bitter water in the desert.

Mara has been used as a given name in Jewish and Christian communities for centuries. In the 20th and 21st centuries it spread into broader English-speaking use, appreciated for its brevity, depth of meaning, and the slightly darker beauty it possesses compared to the more cheerful Mary or Maya. It has ranked steadily in the U.S. top 400.

Did you know? In the Book of Ruth, Naomi declares 'Call me Mara' after the deaths of her husband and sons, saying 'the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me' — making Mara one of the few biblical names explicitly chosen by a character mid-narrative to express raw human grief.

Overall data confidence 94%

Behind the Name — Mara — etymology and historyU.S. Social Security Administration — popularity data

Variations

MarahMaryMayaMara

Nicknames

Mar

Famous Bearers

★Mara Schiavocampo (1979–present)
American television journalist and Emmy-winning news correspondent.

If you like Mara…

Naomi— the biblical character who renamed herself Mara — they share the same verse

Nora— two-syllable vintage Hebrew-rooted name with the same quiet, graceful strength

Miriam— ancient Hebrew biblical women's name with the same deep scriptural roots

Ada— short, vintage name with the same understated elegance and ancient pedigree

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mara mean?

Mara is a Hebrew name meaning 'bitter' or 'sorrowful,' famously used in the Book of Ruth when Naomi renames herself after her suffering.

How do you pronounce Mara?

It is said MAR-ah — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Mara a boy or girl name?

Mara is exclusively a girls' name.

How popular is Mara?

Mara has ranked steadily in the U.S. top 400 girls' names in recent years, appreciated for its simple elegance.