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Home › Baby Names Directory › Marah

Marah

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAR-ah /ˈmɑr.ɑ/High

Meaning: From Hebrew marah, 'bitter' — the bitter spring of Exodus made sweet, and Naomi's chosen name of griefHigh

In 30 seconds: Bitterness turned sweet: Marah is the Exodus spring whose waters Moses healed — and Naomi's grief-name in Ruth. A name of honest sorrow and promised renewal.
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Origin HighHebrew
MeaningFrom Hebrew marah, 'bitter' — the bitter spring of Exodus made sweet, and Naomi's chosen name of grief
U.S. rank (2025)#6728 ↘ Falling
2025 U.S. births17 girls (0.00% of U.S. girls)
Peak year2004
Total births (all-time)≈ 2,364

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 200419642025

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

SSA data updated May 2026. How we source & verify this data.

History & Origin

Marah comes from Hebrew marah, 'bitter' — the desert spring sweetened in Exodus, and the name grieving Naomi briefly took ('call me Mara'). Kin to Mary's possible root, it carries sorrow and its healing in one breath.

It registers thinly in records. Rare, bitter-made-sweet at the root, and quietly profound.

Did you know? At Marah, the Israelites' first desert stop, the bitter water turned drinkable when Moses cast in a tree — making the name a story of bitterness redeemed.
Overall data confidence 82%
Behind the Name — Mara — root etymology

Variations

MaraMarra

Nicknames

Mar

Famous Bearers

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If you like Marah…

Mara— the sister spelling from the same root
Naomi— the matriarch who chose the name in grief
Miriam— the possibly-related Mary source
Maren— a fellow soft M- favorite

Explore names like Marah

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Frequently Asked

What does the name Marah mean?

Marah is Hebrew for 'bitter' — the Exodus spring whose waters were made sweet.

How do you pronounce Marah?

It's said MAR-ah /ˈmɑr.ɑ/ — two syllables, stress on the first.

Is Marah a boy or girl name?

Marah is a girl's name.

How popular is Marah?

Marah is a rare name in the U.S.

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