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Original poster

If I like Martha...

33 replies

Isit2021yetplease · 16/12/2020 09:14

Expecting a DD...we already have a Joseph. I really like the name Martha, but it annoys me there isn't a good shortened nickname for it!

Please can I have some suggestions which are similar?

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ReviewingTheSituation · 17/12/2020 23:23

No - I wasn't a Sixpence! I would have had an alliterative name if I'd been a Martha, but that wasn't why they didn't use it. Something to do with someone famous at the time who they didn't want associations with.

Mingasauros · 17/12/2020 20:16

We have a Martha. I like that it doesn't have a natural shortening (my name doesn't either) but she has ended up with a nickname based on how she used to pronounce her name as a toddler. But I like that it is a nickname with meaning, not just people choosing their own version of her name.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 17/12/2020 17:49

My parents really liked Martha, but there was a reason they couldn't use it (can't remember what).

Is your surname Sixpence? Grin

ReviewingTheSituation · 17/12/2020 17:29

My parents really liked Martha, but there was a reason they couldn't use it (can't remember what).
They went with Rebecca. It's served me well, and I think it's still a lovely name now.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 17/12/2020 13:51

Martha is a beautiful name.

As for a NN, it's quite a vocal jump from 'ar' to 'a' (as in cat). Personally, I think it's more natural for the 'ar' sound to morph into a 'o' (as in dog) sound, and for the 'th' to be softened (already done for you should you live in the south east!) - thus I'd tend towards something like Moffy.

I did hear once of a Martha who went by the NN of Miffy, though, which is very cute for a little girl (human or rabbit!) and also (IMHO) smart and kooky for a teenager and older woman, if you have the personality to 'suit' it.

Smellybluecheese · 17/12/2020 11:46

I love the name Martha

Claudia
Constance
Felicity
Lilian
Beatrice
Florence
Eliza

Bl3ss3dm0m · 17/12/2020 11:32

My Dear departed Mum was Christened Martha in 1922, and she hated it, she thought it was too old fashioned - well I suppose it was already over 2 thousand years old! Anyway, if you love the name, your daughter might too. I have known Martha to be shortened to Marty, but my Mum's turned into Meta (Me as in me, and ta as in how some people say thanks - but shorter, not a long drawn out taa! ) We all loved that name, especially as we never met anyone else called it xx

DontStopThinkingAboutTomorrow · 17/12/2020 10:16

I love Martha as a name, and would nn Marty.

MercyBodle · 17/12/2020 08:49

Martha has fine nicknames in Matty, Marty, Patty and Patsy. It sounds like you have found the name you love. There is nothing wrong with Joseph and Martha - not the same as Joseph and Mary at all.

Tabitha
Edith
Mara
Marina
Theodora
Dorothea
Thea
Georgina
Beatrix
Flora
Greta
Millicent
Lilian
Hermione
Anthea
Matilda
Vera

Standrewsschool · 16/12/2020 20:46

Similar names:

Freya
Hannah
Coral
Harriet
Astrid
Laura
Doris
Estelle
Sadie
Betsy
Eliza

PlantPotting · 16/12/2020 20:42

I'd stick with Martha

If not how about

Margaret nickname Maggie

Ellmau · 16/12/2020 20:34

Hannah
Rebecca
Rachel
Leah
Marianne
Isabel

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 16/12/2020 18:24

Similar sound.
Marla.
Marsha
Maria
Marcia
Marley
Marine.

Similar Vibe.
Iris.
Eleanor
Maude
Annie
Lucy
Florence
Eva
Julia
Violet
Lydia
Olive

SionnachRua · 16/12/2020 16:54

When I read your post and saw you had a Joseph I did immediately think "Martha and Joseph...hmm, that's quite like Mary and Joseph". Definitely see where the pp is coming from.

PlantPotting · 16/12/2020 12:23

Love the name Martha , it's so lovely I wouldn't want to change it with a nickname but I'm sure she'll get nicknames , many nicknames aren't even related to the name

Martha and Joseph sound perfect together. I wouldn't have thought of the Mary thing as Martha a different name to Mary. Am I missing something ?

RMRM · 16/12/2020 11:55

Love the name Martha. Would be on my list if I had another. Someone will come up with a nickname. You don't need a ready made one!

I don't think Martha and Joseph sounds anything like Mary and Joseph!

LittleTiger007 · 16/12/2020 11:48

I love your names! Joseph and Martha sound perfect. Marnie could be a nickname.

Firebird83 · 16/12/2020 10:59

I know a brother and sister (in their 20s) called Joseph and Martha. I never thought it sounded like Mary and Joseph! I always thought they went well together.

Original poster
Isit2021yetplease · 16/12/2020 10:34

Thanks everyone! So true it doesn't need a nick name - I just really love having the option to call Joseph Joejoe or shout Joseph at him when I really want him to listen!

I hadn't even thought about Mary and Joesph sounding like Martha and Joesph!! Humm maybe one to think about!
Lots of good suggestions here thank you v much.

OP posts:
Rainbowqueeen · 16/12/2020 10:27

When I saw the heading I instantly thought Clara but if you want a name with a nickname that doesn’t work

What about
Annabel
Lucinda
Rebecca

lobsteroll · 16/12/2020 10:24

I know a Martha that gets called Mimi.

I think Martha is a lovely stand alone name, not every name needs a nickname. One of mine is has been called full name since birth even though there are loss of nickname options. My other child has been nickname since they were about a week old and her first name is rarely used. Both situations happened organically though.

As far as other names are concerned, what about:

Nina
Tabitha
Eleanor
Charlotte

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 16/12/2020 09:59

Martha is lovely, Marty or Matty is not.

Why choose a name if you're not prepared to use the whole thing? I'd avoid a name with an obvious nickname I loathed though. Deliberately chose two names difficult to shorten so DH has elongated them as a nickname instead to wind me up

Think Marthawartha.... shortened to Wartha, shortened to Wart!

Katgolde · 16/12/2020 09:53

Harriet
Caroline
Leonora
Elspeth
Phoebe
Cassia
Melissa
Genevieve
Saffron
Christina
Miriam
Beatrice
Felicity
Constance
Rebecca
Samantha
Catherine
Cecilia
Natalia

EvilEdna1 · 16/12/2020 09:45

A Martha I know gets called Marty.

Whatthebloodyell · 16/12/2020 09:42

Agnes
Lydia
Ruth
Edith
Mabel
Lilian