Mara?

[crabette]

I posted before about Anna... some loved (classic), some didn't (dull!)

Thinking about various other options and came across Mara... be interested to hear Mumsnet's opinion!

I love it! Sadly it’s too similar to my own name to use but I’ve certainly thought about it. It reminds me of Mara Wilson (the little girl who played Matilda) as that was my favourite movie as a child and she is a brilliant adult too!

In Irish it's a word for the sea. I like it.

I like Mahrie but also like Anna

i don;t like it, sorry.
doesn't sound much of a name to me.
i prefer at least 2 syllabubs, preferably 3.

I think the daughter on Firefly Lane is called Marah - it's nice

oh maybe it is 2, but anyway, i like something longer, more to it.

Marina?

I like it, but I'd never use it as I knew a Mara and she turned out to be a total cow.

I prefer Anna

Ooo love it!

Really like it. More interesting than Anna and for some reason has more heft to it than Lara, Cara etc.

I know a grown up Mara (in her 40s) she’s a lovely person so it’s a thumbs up from me

Beautiful, exotic yet easy to say and spell. I can't figure out why Mara is not more popular when Lara, Sara, Zara etc are well used (I don't think it can be the meaning - some people say Maria means "bitter" too, yet Maria has always stayed quite popular).

Anna is beautiful too - it just depends whether you want a more "classic" sounding, but also more commonplace/popular name or not.

You might also like Gaia, Lorna, Cora, Nina, Theia, and Maia.

Lovely name.
Strong, perfect, international.

The Buddha was tested/tempted by Mara (The devil/demon king)
I would avoid the name because of the above connotation.

Yes, like it. Love Anna too. Mala? Nina? Nora?

It’s lovely, but then I also love Anna

Moria?

I like Anna

I dislike it for a few different reasons. Meanings, association, and being lost as another 4 letter girls name amongst other similar sounding ones ending in a. These names don’t feel distinct to me anymore.

Anna is lovely. So classic.

I know a Marianne who calls herself Mara. She's pretty abrasive so it puts me off but it's an ok name.

How about Nina ?

Marianna or Marianne are also beautiful

I have a mara! Totally biased therefore but she’s ace. She’s a total force of nature and suits her name down to the ground Have only ever met one other who was a very glam Italian air hostess and she was thrilled we had used the name.

Was on my long list but not shortlisted. I like it!