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NamyLab

Mara

female
Updated 7 months ago

Meaning

"Bitter; Sea"

A concise name with multiple origins, including Hebrew bitter and associations with sea, also appearing in South Asian traditions.

Themes:hebrewbiblicalmultilingualfeminine
BiblicalNatureNatural

Fact-checked by Sarah Mitchell

B.A. Journalism, Northwestern University10+ Years Parenting WritingMom of Three • Parenting Editor

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Mara

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

#588Top 1000

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Selected Year Rank
#588

Mara was nationally ranked in 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year
-6

lower than 2023

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Mara Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Mara.

9 ideas
Mar
Nickname
mara
Nickname
ma
Nickname
mo
Nickname
mary
Nickname
maray
Nickname
my
Nickname
mie
Nickname
maraie
Nickname

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Baby Name Lists That Include Mara

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Mara, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

22 linked lists

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Mara mean?
Mara means "Bitter; Sea". A concise name with multiple origins, including Hebrew bitter and associations with sea, also appearing in South Asian t
What is the origin of Mara?
Mara is of Hebrew origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.
How popular is the name Mara?
According to the latest SSA data, Mara is currently ranked #588 in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.
Is Mara a girl name?
Mara is traditionally a girl name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.
What are good nicknames for Mara?
Popular nicknames for Mara include Mar, mara, ma, mo, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.
What names are similar to Mara?
There are many names similar to Mara in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginHebrew, Sanskrit
Syllables2
Length4 letters
US Rank#588
Trend↓ Falling
Starts withM

Sibling Ideas

Explore More Girl Names Like Mara

Mara has Hebrew roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Hebrew baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Mara appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Nature and Names That Mean Ocean for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Names That Mean Water for Boys and Girls and Earth-Inspired Nature Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Mara pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Mara beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.