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Baby names

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

Original poster

Mara

66 replies

Hankthehonk · 20/07/2023 20:23

I'm just curious what people's opinions are on the name Mara. It's not too out there, but equally you don't see it often either.
We're pretty set on it if this baby is a girl.
We gave an older daughter named Rosa.
Most likely will go for Mara Elizabeth (middle name for a family member)

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IamnotwhouthinkIam · 22/07/2023 01:22

Ah, just saw you are Scottish. Not sure how popular it is in Scotland? Still think it's lovely though!

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 22/07/2023 01:20

Lovely choice. I like that it has a familiar sound so she'll fit in (Lara, Clara, Zara, Mia, Maya etc being in the top 100) but is still unusual enough that she'll likely be one of very few (if you are in E or W).

I also think Mara has an exotic yet elegant look, enough that I don't think the bitter or demon thing would bother me personally (I was aware of the negative connotations but only because I'm a name nerd -don't think it would be obvious to most people she meets ).

Mammyofonlyone · 22/07/2023 00:58

@Hazelnuttella I think you're correct re: the spelling but it's what I think of when I see then name nonetheless.

Daphnis156 · 21/07/2023 23:29

Reminds me of Myra Hindley.

cptartapp · 21/07/2023 19:11

Somewhat bland. I know a couple.
Zara has much more about it. Love Elizabeth as a middle name.

windowof · 21/07/2023 18:59

Thirty5 · 21/07/2023 13:13

Isn’t the little girl from Mrs Doubtfire, Matilda and Miracle on 34th st, Mara?
I like it!

This is who I picture right away when I hear Mara too. Beautiful name and the actress in the films grew up to be such a lovely person too. I really like it.

Lucienandjean · 21/07/2023 18:16

I immediately thought of the 'bitter' meaning. Perhaps most people won't though? It would put me off using the name.

RitzyMcFitzy · 21/07/2023 16:38

Re. The 'bitter' meaning: Mary has the same origin and the same meaning. Admittedly Mary isn't particularly popular at the moment but the meaning hadn't held it back over the years.

RitzyMcFitzy · 21/07/2023 16:30

I'm Irish so only know it as a word for the sea. I think it's nice enough.

Theoldwoman · 21/07/2023 14:47

I think it’s lovely, also love Zara and Cara.

Hazelnuttella · 21/07/2023 14:40

Mammyofonlyone · 21/07/2023 03:43

It's a slang term for mate in a really disadvantaged town near where I'm from (north west England) so it would put me off.

Isn’t that Marra?

I assume Mara rhymes with Zara / Tara / Lara etc

TheBirdintheCave · 21/07/2023 14:27

I know one Scottish toddler Mara and one English grown up Mara :) It's a pretty name!

twilighteaser · 21/07/2023 14:26

I know quite a few Italian women with the name Mara. It's a nice name.

DramatisPersonae · 21/07/2023 14:03

User63847484848 · 20/07/2023 20:44

I have in my mind that it means ‘bitter’ but may have made that up!

It does, which is one of the things I like about it. It's plain in the right way, with a sting in the tail. But in Irish, it is also a grammatical declension of the word for 'sea' when used in relation to a noun -- so, for instance, mermaid in Irish is 'maighdean mara', literally 'maiden of the sea'. A sea voyage is 'aistear mara' etc.

Gcsunnyside23 · 21/07/2023 13:58

I love it, means ocean/sea in Gaelic which is much nicer than other meaning and closer to where you're from and will sound lovely in Scottish accent

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 21/07/2023 13:23

It's lovely

continentallentil · 21/07/2023 13:22

I think it’s very meh, like the ubiquities Mia, but there are worse names

EmmaPaella · 21/07/2023 13:13

It is of Hebrew origin, and the meaning of Mara is "bitter", which carries the implication "strength". The biblical Naomi, mother-in-law of Ruth, claimed the name Mara (מרא) as an expression of grief after the deaths of her husband and sons.

From Wikipedia.

Thirty5 · 21/07/2023 13:13

Isn’t the little girl from Mrs Doubtfire, Matilda and Miracle on 34th st, Mara?
I like it!

EmmaPaella · 21/07/2023 13:11

Nice. I knew someone called Mara who was German. Also one called Maren.

Jericha · 21/07/2023 13:09

I love Mara and I posted about it on here a few months back before my daughter was born. A few replies pointed out its linked to meaning death, I don't think that's commonly known so you may be comfortable with that but it did put me off.

NothingTraLaLa · 21/07/2023 13:01

I think it’s quite pretty as a sound, but it was the name of an evil snake creature in 80s Doctor Who (Peter Davison era) which absolutely terrified me. That is quite a niche association though.

RosaSkye · 21/07/2023 12:52

I really like it, but Mara Elizabeth is only two letters from my dd’s name so I would!

also have Rosa in my other DD’s name so excellent taste!

Tigger35 · 21/07/2023 10:58

It's pretty but I think the bitter association stops it being more popular. It's mentioned in the Book of Ruth where Naomi changes her name to Mara because it means bitter so some familiar with the Bible story will have that association whereas most names most people won't know the meaning.

The sound is nice though as is the link to your mothers' names. It sounds nice with Rosa as well.

Mammyofonlyone · 21/07/2023 03:43

It's a slang term for mate in a really disadvantaged town near where I'm from (north west England) so it would put me off.