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Baby names

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Original poster

Martha?

41 replies

Cakemuncher · 10/08/2010 21:12

DH and I have a shortlist of girls' names. There are two front runners, one of which is Martha. It's DH'a favourite but I swing from really liking it to sometimes thinking it sounds quite frumpy. What does anyone else think?

I am teacher and have never taught a Martha which is a big advantage I have to say - no associations.

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missedith01 · 14/08/2010 20:47

It's a bit too biblical for me, but I do like it, sounds like a calm person with a beautiful nature and solid virtues Grin.

onedeadbadger · 14/08/2010 20:44

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sockmonkey · 14/08/2010 20:38

I fought and lost the battle to name DD Martha... If I ever have another girl it will be back on the list. I love it.

ValiumSingleton · 14/08/2010 20:22

I know there are more Annas out there, but it must be some weird statistical anomoly, I know lots of Marthas. It's a nice name thoough. Actually Anna and Martha sound like sisters.

GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 14/08/2010 20:10

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GnocchiGnocchiWhosThere · 14/08/2010 20:07

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plonker · 14/08/2010 20:06

Oh I much prefer Anna - timeless and beautiful

Martha is one of the currently on-trend names that, for some reason, I just don't get

atmywitssend · 14/08/2010 20:01

I like Martha but CH says Marfa and harps on about Dr Who.

flopsy1974 · 12/08/2010 15:33

I have a 3 week old called Martha Alice, and love her name.

oliviasmama · 12/08/2010 06:18

fan of Martha here too, lovely

sunnydelight · 12/08/2010 05:35

Martha is the best name in the world and not at all frumpy Grin

Original poster
Cakemuncher · 11/08/2010 18:44

Thanks for all the thoughts, folks. It has been helpful to test the name out without giving it away to friends and family.

Smoother I had forgotten about Martha Kearney! Not a bad namesake really. There must be an advantage to having a couple of songs to sing to a crying bundle in the wee small hours.

Still can't decide between them though!

OP posts:
DessieLou · 11/08/2010 17:35

I love Martha! It's pretty and sophisticated. And not too common. I've never met a Martha but do know a teenage Marsha which really suits her.
Definately Martha over Anna.

RobynLou · 11/08/2010 17:30

:-) I also love the beatles song, although it's about paul's pet dog, so slightly less romantic than the tom waits one!

I do sing it to our martha sometimes now she's a toddler though - affectionate admonishing of dogs is very appropriate for toddlers sometimes!

Binkster · 11/08/2010 17:24

That?s such a beautiful song Robynlou. We will probably end up having a Martha, although we always argue about whether it?s after that song (me) or the Beatles (dh!).

RobynLou · 11/08/2010 17:19

our martha is named after the Tom Waits song 'Martha' her other names come from the tracks either side of that song on the album :-)
we decided on it just before the Dr Who Martha appeared, and when that happened we did consider trying to think of something else, as we had an inkling it might become more popular, but thought stuff it in the end, we love it too much to let Dr Who change our minds!
Having trouble now with DC2 on the way thinking of another girls name we like as much!

smother · 11/08/2010 16:34

Tis a beautiful name.

Cool, and a mixture of gentle and strong.
Sweet as a child, grownup/thoughtful as an adult.

Think Martha Wainright... Martha, my dear by the beatles.... Marthy kearny!... not frumpy associations.

It seems more popular than it is - a lot of people seem to say, ooh, I wish I had called my DD Martha.

Whelk · 11/08/2010 12:40

Martha is very popular here at the moment, if that bothers you (I'm not sure that it should- names are popular because they are lovely).

Summerbird73 · 11/08/2010 11:05

My DH cannot pronounce his 'th's so we would have had to go without anyway as she would be Marfa. Hope that hasnt put you off though cakemuncher because it is such a beautiful name and i soooo want someone to have it! Grin

Fanfare · 11/08/2010 10:45

Martha is a gorgeous name! (I will always mourn the fact I never got to use the name Martha, as we had two DS!)

BuntyPenfold · 11/08/2010 10:12

Sorry - I think Martha is frumpy.
I know 2 age 5 but no babies.

ReadingTeaLeaves · 10/08/2010 23:09

Martha was the only option that DH and I agreed on for our DC1 (turned out to be DS). I love it, but was worried it may turn out to be really commonplace. Seems from above comments that this is not the case - which would have encouraged me.

I like Anna, but I think Martha has more to it as a name IYSWIM.

LaundryLyne · 10/08/2010 22:43

I much prefer Anna. Not a fan of Martha.

2old4thislark · 10/08/2010 22:42

I like it but it should only be used in areas where you know her friends will say 'martha' NOT 'marfa'............

Summerbird73 · 10/08/2010 22:41

I adore Martha as i wanted to call my child that but we had DS instead! Reminds me of one of my favourite songs 'Martha's Harbour' by All About Eve and also the band Martha and the Muffins - so not frumpy at all Grin