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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Mara

44 replies

tigrou · 18/11/2013 10:57

This name just popped into my head for DD, and I think I'm liking it. What do you think?

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Marasmummy1 · 14/01/2014 19:14

It's my daughter's name and OH and me love it. It's short, sweet and ladylike despite its biblical meaning. My siblings and nephew/nieces all have biblical names and I wanted to carry on the tradition.

MacaYoniandCheese · 29/11/2013 23:08

I love it. It makes me think of Mara Leonidis (she's from Greece) in the Trebizon books. Feisty, loyal, clever and cool.

Ilovekittyelise · 29/11/2013 23:04

what about maren?

Yika · 28/11/2013 22:59

I know several Maras. They are all Italian. I find it very pretty!

mydaftlass · 28/11/2013 21:38

It makes me think of Doris Lessing's Mara and Dann. I like it!

GlaikitFizzog · 28/11/2013 21:30

I would bunnyhopper, we have a McSurname and Mara is top of my list!

NadiaWadia · 28/11/2013 19:54

bunnyhopper don't know, but it might be a bit of a tongue-twister!

RaRa it is pronounced 'Mah-ra', not with a short 'a'.

I think it's very nice, and unusual too.

bunnyhopper17 · 28/11/2013 19:22

Due soon and just came across this name and really like it for a number of reasons BUT would you use it with surname Muir?

RaRa1988 · 23/11/2013 19:08

Wouldn't use it up north: looks too much like 'marra' (close friend/soul mate) and sounds like 'marr her' in a Geordie accent.

ccsays · 20/11/2013 22:36

Mara is also the demon that tried to stop the buddha from becoming enlightened.

ErrolTheDragon · 20/11/2013 18:18

By coincidence there's a Cumbria thread at the moment in which a few people are using 'marra' - not 'mara'. Just to clear that one up! Grin

qumquat · 20/11/2013 17:55

It also means bitter in Hebrew. In the bible Ruth (or was it Naomi?) changes her name to Mara after the other one dies because "The Lord has dealt bitterly with me". This was the only meaning I knew- it's still my favourite name though!

GRW · 18/11/2013 20:22

I think it's lovely and unusual. I knew an Amara once which I also like.

squoosh · 18/11/2013 19:11

Yuck, the Doctor Who connection is the one that would actually turn me off it.

WhispersOfWickedness · 18/11/2013 19:09

I love it Grin

GlaikitFizzog · 18/11/2013 19:04

Also,

Several rivers
A people
A language
Goddess of several different mythologies
A song
An album
The real name of the lion actor inBorn free
And the clincher, a being in Doctor Who!

squoosh · 18/11/2013 16:50

So Mara means...............

Sea
Devil
Furry troll woman
Hag
Cute rodent

Love it! Grin

Onesleeptillwembley · 18/11/2013 16:43

It's not a term up north for a mate at all, certainly not in Yorkshire, Cumbria or Lancashire. Don't know where pp got that idea from.
I did read an old book many years ago called 'the Making Of Mara' and loved the name.

GlaikitFizzog · 18/11/2013 16:38

Ssshhhhhh countingstars that may be the reason dh dislikes it

CountingStars · 18/11/2013 16:33

It's nice, quite pretty.

It's the name of what is considered to be the Buddhist version of the devil, just so you know.

GlaikitFizzog · 18/11/2013 14:39

Yay!!

Original poster
tigrou · 18/11/2013 14:22

Nobody's put me off... I'm loving it more and more

OP posts:
dyslexicdespot · 18/11/2013 13:25

Having said that, if I meet a woman or a girl named Mara, I would be thrilled and hope that she lived up to her namesake!

dyslexicdespot · 18/11/2013 13:20

As errol mentioned, a Mara is a mythical creature in Scandinavia. It can also be used as a curse word, similar to the way 'Hag' would be used in English.

ErrolTheDragon · 18/11/2013 13:04

Oh yes, I'd forgotten about the furry maras, much cuter!

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