Mara is a baby name often associated with the meaning “bitter.” It is typically used as a girl name and has a style that feels both memorable and approachable.
What Does Mara Mean?
The name Mara has a rich history and carries multiple meanings across different cultures. Mara is a feminine name that has origins in several languages, including Hebrew, Gaelic, and Sanskrit.
In Hebrew, Mara means “bitter” or “sorrow,” and it has significance in the biblical context as well. In the Bible, Mara is the name of a place where the Israelites found bitter water, emphasizing challenges and hardships in life.
In Gaelic, Mara means “sea,” reflecting the vastness and tranquility of the ocean. This interpretation of the name brings a sense of calm and depth to its meaning.
Origin And Style Of Mara
The meaning linked with Mara is usually given as “bitter.”
When choosing a name like Mara, many parents also compare how it looks on the page, how easy it is to say, and how well it fits with sibling names or family preferences.
Why Parents Consider Mara
Mara is usually presented as a girl name.
Families who like Mara may also be looking for names that start with M, have a similar tone, or carry a meaning that feels thoughtful and positive.
Names Similar To Mara
If you like Mara, you may also want to explore Maxa, Melie, Megon, Megly, Megen.
Top 100 Names Like Mara
Keep the loop going with Top 100 names like Mara and Girl Names.
Names Starting With M
Browse more M names such as Maxa, Melie, Megon, Megly or open the M baby names archive.
Explore More M Names
Looking for similar ideas? Browse more M baby names or return to the full baby names directory to compare more options.
The name Mara has a rich history and carries multiple meanings across different cultures. Mara is a feminine name that has origins in several languages, including Hebrew, Gaelic, and Sanskrit.
In Hebrew, Mara means “bitter” or “sorrow,” and it has significance in the biblical context as well. In the Bible, Mara is the name of a place where the Israelites found bitter water, emphasizing challenges and hardships in life.
In Gaelic, Mara means “sea,” reflecting the vastness and tranquility of the ocean. This interpretation of the name brings a sense of calm and depth to its meaning.
Additionally, in Sanskrit, Mara is associated with the concept of death or the personification of death. This adds a mystical and philosophical aspect to the name’s significance.
Mara is a name that has been used across different cultures and time periods, making it a versatile and timeless choice for a baby girl. It carries a mix of emotions and imagery, from sorrow to water’s serenity, making it a name that resonates with many parents seeking a name that is deep in meaning and rich in cultural significance.
Profile Confidence
What to trust, and what to treat carefully.
Popularity
Use popularity as context, not as the whole decision. When public-record detail is limited or not visible here, compare the name by sound, meaning, and shortlist fit too.
Meaning
Meaning notes are useful background, but meanings can vary by language, culture, and source.
Origin
Origin and root labels are used as browsing aids, not as a claim that one tradition is the only correct context.
Read the methodologyMeaning and origin guideHow to choose a name
How to use this profile
Look at Mara from more than one angle.
Data signal
Use the Social Security record summary to see whether Mara has a long usage trail, a newer rise, or a rare-name pattern.
Fit signal
Compare the M initial, sound, spelling, and rhythm with surname, sibling names, and family naming patterns.
Reader signal
Save Mara, react to it, or read approved notes so the page becomes more than a static m-name listing.
Sources and limits: public U.S. Social Security baby-name records are used where available. Meaning, origin, style, shortlist, and community notes are treated as decision aids, not as a claim that one name is objectively best.
Shortlist notes
Why parents might save Mara
- Mara is easy to compare with other M names while you build a shortlist.
- The name starts with M, which can help when matching sibling names, initials, or family naming patterns.
- Use the save button to keep this name available while browsing origins, topic lists, and generator ideas.
Community Notes
What readers think about Mara
React to this name, leave a short note for review, or compare it with names you have saved.
Compare with your saved names
Save another name and you can run a quick this-or-that vote.