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Baby names

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

Opinions on the name Martha

60 replies

Giraffe5 · 02/08/2015 01:01

What does it make you think when you hear it?

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LeoandBoosmum · 03/08/2015 17:23

I think it sounds drab, not quite so bad as Deidre but getting there...

bgottalent · 03/08/2015 16:50

I like it - a lot.

happy2bhomely · 03/08/2015 16:48

It makes me think of The Handmaid's Tale. So it's not great for me. (In the book, Martha's are "Older infertile women who have domestic skills and are compliant")

Mrsfrumble · 03/08/2015 16:47

ButterDish, I like to think that she handed Jesus the broom and dishcloth and told him he could do it himself then. Only Luke edited that bit out, obviously Grin

Coffeemarkone · 03/08/2015 16:40

what about the Polish version, Marta?

Coffeemarkone · 03/08/2015 16:39

bit plain and homely tbh....

ChrisQuean · 03/08/2015 16:38

Not my cup of tea, although to know several (including one in her late 30s - unusual). It's sort of homely and meh

ButterDish · 03/08/2015 16:32

The cool, eye-rolling woman in the New Testament who complained to Jesus about having to do the housework while her sister just sat adoringly at his feet listening to parables and doing sod all. Jesus's reply was crap, obviously, but I always liked Martha's bolshie refusal to get dutifully on with the cooking. I hope she whacked Mary with a ladle.

Also Plimpton, Gellhorn, Lane-Fox, Graham, Marthas's Vineyard, Beatles' song, Vandellas etc etc.

PallasCat · 03/08/2015 16:03

Love it.

liquidrevolution · 03/08/2015 14:02

My friends1 month old DD.

Love the name but couldnt use it as I have an accent and cant pronouce th and ph. Didnt want to be screaming Marfa across the playground. Grin

Mrsfrumble · 03/08/2015 13:56

To me, though, it is very much a blonde name

That's funny. I feel the same way about Emma! Maybe just because most of the Emmas I've known have been blonde.

To me though Martha is brunette. My little one is, and as the name is Aramaic in origin I'm sure the "original" Marthas were dark too.

PoppyAmex · 03/08/2015 07:11

One of the most popular names in my country is Marta, which I think is lovely - not so much the "th" sound though

Billynoname · 03/08/2015 06:58

I love it. Wanted it for my 17 mo but dh really hates it- says it sounds frumpy and hates the "arfa" sound- just says it doesn't sound nice. I disagree. I still love it. I know one who is in her early 30s, is absolutely stunning and is a v high flying lawyer. To me, though, it is very much a blonde name, just my personal thought- couldn't see a little brunette Martha working as well. It is extraordinarily popular in London area- not sure about elsewhere. Congrats x

barbecue · 02/08/2015 20:11

Dull.

littlejohnnydory · 02/08/2015 19:47

Love it, was concerned it might become v popular. I think of the GBBO contestant and a sweet little girl I know with big blue eyes and lots of curls!

Hellion7433 · 02/08/2015 19:43

Gentle, solid, good natured name

Supervet · 02/08/2015 19:31

I love Martha, if dd had been born now and not in the hail of wacky bloody early 2003 names I would so use it.

fanciesdefrancais · 02/08/2015 19:29

Lovely!

Bluetrews25 · 02/08/2015 19:29

I worked with a Martha about 5 years ago - a lovely, intelligent, kind young lady, who will be 25+ by now, I expect.
Wonder if it's the same Martha Magicrealism knows - sound similar!

justaweeone · 02/08/2015 19:26

Love it! But our second dog is named Martha ( black lab). But had we had another child , I think that may have been their name if they were a girl.

Magicrealism · 02/08/2015 19:23

Great name. Makes me think of my daughter's friend, who is a wonderful young woman. Intelligent, arty, quirky.

Loula117 · 02/08/2015 19:21

Wasn't keen, but now have one in the family and I've completely changed my mind!

Mrsfrumble · 02/08/2015 19:18

I have a toddler one, who was named for the Tom Waits song. So obviously I love it!

DrLego · 02/08/2015 19:14

I love it
I also like Marla, maybe. But Martha's great.

jusdepamplemousse · 02/08/2015 15:53

Love it. Beautiful and soft, but robust.

Growing in popularity though if that's a concern. Like, rocketing.

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