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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is Martha a nice name?

79 replies

Flowerpower5 · 14/11/2023 22:41

I’m currently pregnant and expecting a little girl soon. I have always liked the name Martha whilst my husband and I have been trying to pick a name.

He isn’t keen on older names but will happily go with Martha if I like it. He originally liked Isla but then also liked Eden or Erin but then he’s not 100% on any name really, so it makes it difficult.

I feel like I’m doubting my decision though now as to whether I should pick this name because my husband doesn’t love it. I just wondered what other people’s thoughts were on Martha?

(Her middle name will be Olive after a family member).

Thanks!

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Whiskerson · 19/11/2023 12:51

PlumsInTheIcebox · 17/11/2023 12:51

I'm deeply biased as I have a beautiful Martha but I love her name as much now as when she was a baby. I'm always secretly pleased to see the odd negative comment on these threads as it isn't that popular and I am hopeful that its slightly marmite nature will stop it going top ten.

That being said, I'm a little disappointed that the 'biblical drudge' poster no longer graces these threads with her wisdom Grin.

Haha, I don't know who that poster was, but I also have that association with Martha as the "biblical drudge" sister! Hope that allays your disappointment 😂

I don't think I know any (vaguely remember an old schoolmate using it in 2010-ish), and the stats suggest it peaked in 2015 in England & Wales, so I hope that helps too!

(It's a perfectly decent name that lots of people find beautiful, of course! No offence intended. But I guess it divides the crowd along Mary/Martha lines!)

AngelaBB · 19/11/2023 11:31

Love the name.

aSofaNearYou · 19/11/2023 11:20

I really dislike it tbh but you will always get people that like and dislike all names.

TidyDancer · 19/11/2023 11:13

It's okay, it's a bit of a vanilla name for me. Fairly inoffensive but just a bit blah. Someone I worked with some time ago had a DD with the name. Mother was a nasty evil bitch which would prevent me using it (and all I can hear is her saying it as Marfa 🤢) but there's nothing wrong with the same if said correctly!

EightMonthsScared · 19/11/2023 11:00

It's a divisive name.

I've known people say they love it but I've known two, both evil, and that's coloured my view.

Lion1618 · 19/11/2023 10:45

I really dislike the name Martha, but then I don't like many of these old-fashioned names which are having a resurgence, or the middle sound 'th' in names...I'm definitely a bit odd. Clearly lots of people do like it though, including you (which is all that matters) .
Plenty of people would hate my children's names but that's life. Name your baby whatever you and your partner both like.

StillWantingADog · 17/11/2023 12:55

I love it though it has an old fashioned feel (which many names do these days).
quite classy too

I also love Clara. Same vowel sounds.

PlumsInTheIcebox · 17/11/2023 12:51

I'm deeply biased as I have a beautiful Martha but I love her name as much now as when she was a baby. I'm always secretly pleased to see the odd negative comment on these threads as it isn't that popular and I am hopeful that its slightly marmite nature will stop it going top ten.

That being said, I'm a little disappointed that the 'biblical drudge' poster no longer graces these threads with her wisdom Grin.

89redballoons · 16/11/2023 20:19

Reminds me of Martyr, so it's a no from me. However as evidenced by this thread, lots of people like it and you could do much worse.

dressedforcomfort · 16/11/2023 07:37

DS was going to be a Martha if he was a girl. Lovely name!

PlaidCushionProductions · 15/11/2023 22:33

Not for me, scruffy when pronounced Maafur

experiential · 15/11/2023 22:31

No, sorry it's an awful name.

TrustPenguins · 15/11/2023 22:13

I find it a bit drab tbh (sorry)

LightSpeeds · 15/11/2023 22:11

I like it 😀

TinyKittenPaw · 15/11/2023 22:10

No.

Yorkshirelass04 · 15/11/2023 22:10

Martha Olivia is much nicer!

MuddledMadge · 15/11/2023 22:08

The thing that would put me off is people saying Marfa instead of th.

marthasmum · 15/11/2023 22:06

Well I love it obviously ❤️
Would you consider Martha Olivia?

MyPenIsHuge · 15/11/2023 22:05

Properly frumpy and hideous pronounced Marfffa

gooseberryganache · 15/11/2023 22:00

I think it's lovely!

cocolamer · 15/11/2023 22:00

Comedycook · 15/11/2023 17:36

I always think it's a very wholesome name. Very American and a bit housewifey iyswim.

It makes me think of a 1970's commune in Vermont with a beautiful earth mother type baking some wholemeal bread, that's Martha. I do really love it as a name.

theduchessofspork · 15/11/2023 21:38

It makes me think of the handmaids tale and is somewhat lumpen, especially combined with Olive

Isla is lovely but very overused - how about Ida?

ConsuelaHammock · 15/11/2023 20:39

I love it. My grandmother was Martha and I’m called after her. My daughter was almost a Martha for her first name but it’s her middle name. It’s less common than the others you mentioned and just a little more different but still well known.

Aprilx · 15/11/2023 20:35

LearnFromMyMistakes · 15/11/2023 19:49

It's better suited for a cat.
Meghan is much nicer.

I just came to the baby names section as I am thinking up a name for my new kitten 😊 and am considering Martha (I think it is nice on a child too).

Jk987 · 15/11/2023 19:52

Not as bad as Ottilie though!

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