Martha?

[Cakemuncher]

DH and I have a shortlist of girls' names. There are two front runners, one of which is Martha. It's DH'a favourite but I swing from really liking it to sometimes thinking it sounds quite frumpy. What does anyone else think?

I am teacher and have never taught a Martha which is a big advantage I have to say - no associations.

our martha is named after the Tom Waits song 'Martha' her other names come from the tracks either side of that song on the album :-)
we decided on it just before the Dr Who Martha appeared, and when that happened we did consider trying to think of something else, as we had an inkling it might become more popular, but thought stuff it in the end, we love it too much to let Dr Who change our minds!
Having trouble now with DC2 on the way thinking of another girls name we like as much!

That?s such a beautiful song Robynlou. We will probably end up having a Martha, although we always argue about whether it?s after that song (me) or the Beatles (dh!).

:-) I also love the beatles song, although it's about paul's pet dog, so slightly less romantic than the tom waits one!

I do sing it to our martha sometimes now she's a toddler though - affectionate admonishing of dogs is very appropriate for toddlers sometimes!

I love Martha! It's pretty and sophisticated. And not too common. I've never met a Martha but do know a teenage Marsha which really suits her.
Definately Martha over Anna.

Thanks for all the thoughts, folks. It has been helpful to test the name out without giving it away to friends and family.

Smoother I had forgotten about Martha Kearney! Not a bad namesake really. There must be an advantage to having a couple of songs to sing to a crying bundle in the wee small hours.

Still can't decide between them though!

Martha is the best name in the world and not at all frumpy

fan of Martha here too, lovely

I have a 3 week old called Martha Alice, and love her name.

I like Martha but CH says Marfa and harps on about Dr Who.

Oh I much prefer Anna - timeless and beautiful

Martha is one of the currently on-trend names that, for some reason, I just don't get

I know there are more Annas out there, but it must be some weird statistical anomoly, I know lots of Marthas. It's a nice name thoough. Actually Anna and Martha sound like sisters.

I fought and lost the battle to name DD Martha... If I ever have another girl it will be back on the list. I love it.

It's a bit too biblical for me, but I do like it, sounds like a calm person with a beautiful nature and solid virtues .