Mara

[tigrou]

This name just popped into my head for DD, and I think I'm liking it. What do you think?

[Marasmummy1]

It's my daughter's name and OH and me love it. It's short, sweet and ladylike despite its biblical meaning. My siblings and nephew/nieces all have biblical names and I wanted to carry on the tradition.

[MacaYoniandCheese]

I love it. It makes me think of Mara Leonidis (she's from Greece) in the Trebizon books. Feisty, loyal, clever and cool.

[Ilovekittyelise]

what about maren?

[Yika]

I know several Maras. They are all Italian. I find it very pretty!

[mydaftlass]

It makes me think of Doris Lessing's Mara and Dann. I like it!

[GlaikitFizzog]

I would bunnyhopper, we have a McSurname and Mara is top of my list!

[NadiaWadia]

bunnyhopper don't know, but it might be a bit of a tongue-twister!

RaRa it is pronounced 'Mah-ra', not with a short 'a'.

I think it's very nice, and unusual too.

[bunnyhopper17]

Due soon and just came across this name and really like it for a number of reasons BUT would you use it with surname Muir?

[RaRa1988]

Wouldn't use it up north: looks too much like 'marra' (close friend/soul mate) and sounds like 'marr her' in a Geordie accent.

[ccsays]

Mara is also the demon that tried to stop the buddha from becoming enlightened.

[ErrolTheDragon]

By coincidence there's a Cumbria thread at the moment in which a few people are using 'marra' - not 'mara'. Just to clear that one up!

[qumquat]

It also means bitter in Hebrew. In the bible Ruth (or was it Naomi?) changes her name to Mara after the other one dies because "The Lord has dealt bitterly with me". This was the only meaning I knew- it's still my favourite name though!

[GRW]

I think it's lovely and unusual. I knew an Amara once which I also like.

[squoosh]

Yuck, the Doctor Who connection is the one that would actually turn me off it.

[WhispersOfWickedness]

I love it

[GlaikitFizzog]

Also,

Several rivers
A people
A language
Goddess of several different mythologies
A song
An album
The real name of the lion actor inBorn free
And the clincher, a being in Doctor Who!

[squoosh]

So Mara means...............

Sea
Devil
Furry troll woman
Hag
Cute rodent

Love it!

[Onesleeptillwembley]

It's not a term up north for a mate at all, certainly not in Yorkshire, Cumbria or Lancashire. Don't know where pp got that idea from.
I did read an old book many years ago called 'the Making Of Mara' and loved the name.

[GlaikitFizzog]

Ssshhhhhh countingstars that may be the reason dh dislikes it

[CountingStars]

It's nice, quite pretty.

It's the name of what is considered to be the Buddhist version of the devil, just so you know.

[GlaikitFizzog]

Yay!!

[tigrou]

Nobody's put me off... I'm loving it more and more

[dyslexicdespot]

Having said that, if I meet a woman or a girl named Mara, I would be thrilled and hope that she lived up to her namesake!

[dyslexicdespot]

As errol mentioned, a Mara is a mythical creature in Scandinavia. It can also be used as a curse word, similar to the way 'Hag' would be used in English.

[ErrolTheDragon]

Oh yes, I'd forgotten about the furry maras, much cuter!