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Baby names

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

Original poster

Yara or Mara

59 replies

Hidingplace · 18/09/2023 14:35

Does anyone have an opinions on these names? Baby was born 5 days ago and as we thought it was a boy, we didn’t have any names. The only one I did have doesn’t feel right. I find girls names so hard…I like these two - complete coincidence that they rhyme! Apparently Yara is a character in GoT, I don’t watch it so had no idea. Not sure how much it matters? Partner says it doesn’t. Help please as people keep asking me and I’d like to stop calling her baby!

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OrderOfTheKookaburra · 20/09/2023 03:33

@theduchessofspork Usually in English a single n or r is a long sound and a double is short

Yes, BUT, there are a lot of foreign names that don't do this. I know someone who has shortened their surname to Yara and they pronounce it with a short A.

OmLidia · 19/09/2023 23:13

Yara or Iara and it has meaning in the Tupi language of Amazonian Indians, I know a Iara : The word derives from Old Tupi yîara = y ("water") + îara ("lord; lady") = "lady of the lake" (water queen). Depending on the oral tradition and the context of the story, she can be seen either as a water nymph, a siren, or a beautiful mermaid that lives in the Amazon

theduchessofspork · 19/09/2023 23:08

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 19/09/2023 08:09

I'm in Australia and I would have pronounced Yara so that it did NOT rhyme with Mara, because of the Yarra River in Melbourne.

Because if that I would much prefer Mara.

Yara is definitely a long r.

Yarra is short as you say

Usually in English a single n or r is a long sound and a double is short

theduchessofspork · 19/09/2023 23:06

How about Tara, Lara, Zara, Sara - I think they are all Nice-a

Mara is a bit Catherine Cookson tragic Irish Heroine in 1958 and also makes me think of Myra

Yara is a bit made up / GOT (she was cool though, TBF), I prefer it Mara I think

jonnyjanetkeogh · 19/09/2023 08:36

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 19/09/2023 08:09

I'm in Australia and I would have pronounced Yara so that it did NOT rhyme with Mara, because of the Yarra River in Melbourne.

Because if that I would much prefer Mara.

Now I'm confused cos I would pronounce Yarra river the same as Yara and Mara? Same as the island Barra, like car with an ah on the end. I'm Scottish so not sure if that makes a difference.

Ellmau · 19/09/2023 08:16

Mara is lovely.

OrderOfTheKookaburra · 19/09/2023 08:09

I'm in Australia and I would have pronounced Yara so that it did NOT rhyme with Mara, because of the Yarra River in Melbourne.

Because if that I would much prefer Mara.

muddlingthrou · 19/09/2023 07:07

I have a Yara, so I'm biased. I do have Middle Eastern heritage, so finding it funny that people are saying it sounds made up. It's been around for ages!

Mara is nice too - I know of one and she's Swiss. I associate it with slightly moneyed people as a result...

romdowa · 19/09/2023 06:47

Whereisthesummer1 · 18/09/2023 18:22

Mara is the name of a sort of Demon in Buddhism and sometimes called the Lord of death. Sorry that’s not a very positive comment from me but I thought it might be useful to know.

Mara also means the sea in the Irish language.

TrustPenguins · 19/09/2023 06:47

Mara

I know an Amara too which is lovely.

Looksgood · 19/09/2023 06:40

I like Yara. Only came across it last year.

Since I teach, I saw Yara's interactions with dozens of other people, and no problems with the name.

Busted2006 · 19/09/2023 06:38

I dislike that as soon as a name is from a different culture suddenly it sounds made up to people.

Yara is lovely, I prefer it to Mara but both are lovely.

I would try them both out for a few days and see which one fits.

There is no rush, her name lasts a lifetime.

somethinghastochangesoon · 19/09/2023 06:32

I love Yara it's beautiful.

wfcats · 19/09/2023 05:33

Yara sounds a bit piratey when I say it like "Yarrr shiver me timbers" but I think Mara is a lovely name.

Squirrelsnut · 19/09/2023 05:25

Mara is lovely. I like the sea association and it's relatively uncommon. Also Mara Kay wrote one of my favourite books.

Hippopotaperson · 19/09/2023 04:37

Mara is Cumbrian dialect for friend. I like Mara

user1492757084 · 19/09/2023 04:33

I prefer Mara.

Do you like ..
Zara
Zipporah
Zena
Allegra
Mirriam
Baccara
Cara
Rebecca

Snoopystick · 18/09/2023 21:41

I know a lovely adult Yara from Syria. I’m not sure why people think it sounds made up!

Curseofthenation · 18/09/2023 21:24

Mara for me. I hear Yara in a pirate voice 😅.

Original poster
Hidingplace · 18/09/2023 21:21

That’s really interesting as I don’t know any Yara’s but I know names can go like that. I’ve got one night to sleep on it! Thank you all for your input…I really wish I’d thought more about this before the birth as being in a lot of pain/shattered is not conducive to making decisions!

OP posts:
OwlBasket · 18/09/2023 21:13

Mara gets my vote from your two. Lovely name

Yara I loved when I first came across it. It’s become really popular here though. 3 in my street! Two girls and a cat

IMHO Judith is a excellent biblical girls name. Judy day to day (or as a name in its own right even) is adorable. Well known but little used

Gowlett · 18/09/2023 21:05

Yes, Yara sounds like a common phrase used in parts of Ireland. It’s not even a phrase, as such. But imagine it in the context somebody in Yorkshire saying “Aye-Oop”.

MoorlandWanderer · 18/09/2023 21:00

I love Sapphira (Saffy, Saff) but out of your shortlisted two, Mara for me.

Cakesandtoffee · 18/09/2023 20:53

I like Mara more.
Yara reminds of the drag queen Yara Sofia from Ru Paul's drag race but doubt anyone else would do that
Congratulations either name will be lovely

Daisybuttercup12345 · 18/09/2023 19:24

Mara
Maria
Marina
Marie
Maureen
Marsha