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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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oldnorsesaga · 18/09/2023 14:38

I like Yara the best. Mara blends with other Mar- names.
Character in GOT doesn't matter. It was minor character and she was renamed from the books

Cas112 · 18/09/2023 14:40

Mara

PerfectMatch · 18/09/2023 14:40

I prefer Mara - Yara sounds to me like a very posh person saying yes! (The "yah" sound.)

How about Tara? I love that.

Notamaterlistictypeofwoman · 18/09/2023 14:40

Mara

jonnyjanetkeogh · 18/09/2023 14:44

I love Mara. It reminds me of the actress in Matilda and Miracle on 34th Street. Beautiful name!
Yara sounds made up to me but I realise that's silly, all names were made up by someone so it's not a reason to not use it if you love it.

jonnyjanetkeogh · 18/09/2023 14:45

And congratulations on the arrival of your baby x

MariePaperRoses · 18/09/2023 14:47

Lara.

Zola1 · 18/09/2023 14:47

Yara sounds hideous with my accent so maybe consider that

Issummernearlyover · 18/09/2023 14:54

Mara. I like it. It's easy to spell, she won't get teased and its elegant.

Sugarfree23 · 18/09/2023 14:57

Mara makes me think about the sea, marine, maritime etc

Yara, I'm just not sold on either.

If neither is feeling right to you either then get the baby name book back out

Original poster
Hidingplace · 18/09/2023 14:57

Oh goodness, thank you everyone. I guess it’s so subjective…I’m really struggling. Wish my head was a bit clearer so I can focus. I keep putting off the decision! I’ve narrowed it down to these 2 and now wish I didn’t have 2 options, haha! I find boys names so much easier!

OP posts:
JaneJeffer · 18/09/2023 15:04

Yara sounds like some ould Irish man disagreeing with you.

allmyliesaretrue · 18/09/2023 15:08

Sorry but I don't like either of them!

Which boys' names do you like? I found girl names so much easier.

AliceMcK · 18/09/2023 15:11

Yara - definitely think GOT
Mara - ok

what about Amara? I know a little girl called Amara it really suits her.

fancyfrogs · 18/09/2023 15:12

I prefer Mara. Congratulations 😊

Robinbuildsbears · 18/09/2023 15:17

Yara: meaning friend, helper in Persian

Mara: meaning bitter in Hebrew

Prefer the sound of Mara, but prefer the meaning of Yara.

Original poster
Hidingplace · 18/09/2023 15:23

Thank you…I’ve felt defensive when reading some of these comments haha, maybe I do prefer one to another! For boys names, we had a lot of biblical names. I’m not religious but my son has a biblical name and I love it. I’m a teacher so names are especially hard as I need one that doesn’t remind me of a certain child/family!! I don’t think I can go back to baby names lists…it’s taken me long enough to narrow it down to 2!

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 18/09/2023 15:34

I'm in the US and know a couple of Yaritzas - a Mexican name derived from Arabic, meaning (apparently) butterfly.

I like Yara. Mara is nice but a bit sedate imo.

Sugarfree23 · 18/09/2023 15:34

What about Sara, or Sarah, Maria, Miriam

Bobbybobbins · 18/09/2023 15:38

Not keen on Yara

Mara is ok

How about
Tara
Lara
Zara
Cara
Sara

Notamaterlistictypeofwoman · 18/09/2023 15:41

She didn't ask anyone for anymore baby names, so please respect that, all she asked is out of the names she has chosen which one do people prefer.

jonnyjanetkeogh · 18/09/2023 15:47

Have you tried calling her Yara for a day and then Mara for a day and see which name seems best that way? It's how my mum settled on my name cos she couldn't choose between two either. Worked for her and I love my name.

GoodVibesHere · 18/09/2023 15:53

Congratulations OP.

I've heard of Mara because of Mara Wilson the child actress in Mrs Doubtfire and Miracle on 34th street. It's nice enough.

I've never heard Yara and would've assumed it was a boys name, also it sounds like a made up random sound sorry.

Original poster
Hidingplace · 18/09/2023 15:53

Thank you, I really appreciate everyone taking the time to help me. It’s just a coincidence they rhyme; it’s not that I want it to end in ara! The original name I had was Sapphira as biblical like my sons but reading posts on here people said it sounded like the car Zafira and now I can’t get away from that! I just said to OH and son we will call her various names for the next few hours and see which one sticks! It’s a good plan. Names are so personal; I know that some people will love and some
people will loathe whatever I choose!

OP posts:
ParadiseZity · 18/09/2023 16:12

I know an 11 year old girl North African called Yara (she's lovely and vivacious) and went to uni with a Mara (who'll be middle aged now) who was also great fun. I think Mara is quite elegant and also reminds me of the Masai Mara, which is a beautiful part of Kenya.