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Baby names

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

Original poster

Martha?

58 replies

BuffyFanForever · 30/03/2022 11:34

Hi All, would love to know what people think of this name and if there’s any other similar type ones which we might like. Quite like 2 syllables and traditional. Know that isn’t to everyone’s tastes but I’ve got 2 already and would like them to sort of “go” 😊

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PlumsInTheIcebox · 30/03/2022 19:21

@TheWayTheLightFalls

Hideous imo - the sound, the biblical character, the historical character, the way it’s pronounced in fully half the UK.
I am trying to work out which specific historical Martha you're referring to.

Washington? Gelhorn? Stewart? ....and the Vandellas?

RoundTheTwister · 30/03/2022 19:21

I love Martha! I wanted it for our DD2 but husband said no, really regret not using it.

DramaAlpaca · 30/03/2022 19:20

Get your bingo card ready... to me it's dreary and frumpy. Sorry.

lollipoprainbow · 30/03/2022 19:19

It's my dd's middle name!

DarleneSnell · 30/03/2022 19:19

Absolutely love it! Cute on a child, sophisticated on an adult.

PlumsInTheIcebox · 30/03/2022 19:17

I have a Martha. I enjoy these threads as they confirm that it is never going to go top ten and be the next Olivia, and thank fuck for that. She is never ever Marf, but then we live somewhere where everyone can pronounce the 'th' sound.

There's a Martha bingo if you like. Frump / Victorian servant / drudge. You'll get them all on this thread Grin I like the fact that Biblical Martha is one of the very very few women of the Bible to speak up for herself.

Fivebeanchilli · 30/03/2022 18:19

I love it.
I only know one little one and she has a sister Lydia.

demoness · 30/03/2022 16:37

I don't love it myself, but I think it's a perfectly acceptable name. I know one who is in her 30s. I've never heard of the NN Marf - I guess it depends on what accent you have.

Similar names: Mary, Edith, Esther, Frances.

comealongponds · 30/03/2022 16:36

It’s nice as long as you don’t live somewhere it’ll be “mar-fa”

KirstenBlest · 30/03/2022 16:34

I know a few Efuns.

Martha is nice enough, easy to spell, might get Marta or Marfa as mispronunciations, biblical.

I like Esther too and Ruth, which I think have a similar vibe

Retrievemysanity · 30/03/2022 16:14

@Pandypuff it’s when people can’t pronounce their ‘th’. My friend can’t and called her son Ethan but she calls him Efun. Makes me cringe!

Spidey66 · 30/03/2022 16:11

Love it. I went to school with a Martha (the only one I know of!) and don't remember it being shortened at all. But it was a London comprehensive so she was often called Marfa!

Pandypuff · 30/03/2022 16:04

I adore Martha. I have never in all of my life heard of anyone calling a Martha 'Marf' Confused

emmathedilemma · 30/03/2022 12:13

Love it!

ISmellBurnings · 30/03/2022 12:07

I’m not a fan, personally. I also know quite a few so it seems quite common.

TeeBee · 30/03/2022 12:07

My son's girlfriend is a Martha, gorgeous name, really suits her. I haven't heard anybody shorten it at all.

courgettigreensadwater · 30/03/2022 12:05

Marf?! I love it. I also loved Violet and Edie.

Twizbe · 30/03/2022 12:00

I know an adult Martha who is really lovely. I think it's a great name.

MsSquiz · 30/03/2022 12:00

It's a perfectly nice, inoffensive name.

I know of 2 - 1 has a sister called Willow and the other has 2 sisters called Hattie and Mabel

FourOclock · 30/03/2022 11:58

I love it, it's a strong contender for this baby if they are a girl Smile I've loved it for a few years now. I also really love Edith which feels a similar sort of theme

Original poster
BuffyFanForever · 30/03/2022 11:58

Thanks guys appreciate the feedback. Chose all our boys names so easily and just can’t seem to get one that feels just right for our girl 🙄

OP posts:
Beamur · 30/03/2022 11:58

I love it. It's DD's favourite name and she wishes she'd been called this!

TheWayTheLightFalls · 30/03/2022 11:57

Hideous imo - the sound, the biblical character, the historical character, the way it’s pronounced in fully half the UK.

Original poster
BuffyFanForever · 30/03/2022 11:57

Ah hadn’t considered this!

OP posts:
Holly60 · 30/03/2022 11:57

I love Martha. I feel like Esther is in the same vein and I love it also 💕