Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Mara
GirlHebrew· “bitter”
- Meaning
- bitter
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- MAHR-uh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #589
- US babies 2025
- 499
- Best rank
- #538 (1990)
- Peak year
- 2021
Meaning and origin of Mara
Mara is a Hebrew name that means “bitter”.
Mara is a Hebrew name meaning "bitter." In the Book of Ruth, Naomi, grieving after the deaths of her husband and sons, tells the women of Bethlehem to call her Mara instead of Naomi. The name also appears in other languages, where it can have separate origins. Today Mara has a gentle, simple sound and is often chosen for its style rather than its meaning. It is short, easy to spell and works across languages. Similar names include Mira, Maren and Maura.
Other spellings with the same sound: Marra.
Popularity over time
Mara first appears in US Social Security records in 1892. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 76 different years, starting in 1950. Its best national rank was #538 in 1990, and the most babies received it in 2021, when 568 were named Mara. In 2025, 499 babies were named Mara, and it ranked #589 nationally. That is 30% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #4,239 in 1920, #921 in 1950, #674 in 1980, #606 in 2000, #868 in 2010, and #589 in 2025. Of the 24,038 US girls named Mara since records began, 17% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 1990s come next, with 3,889 babies. Since 2010, 6,891 more have been named Mara.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Indie, Davina, Nola, Journi, and Sloan.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mara ranked highest in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Hawaii.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | #149 | 8 |
| Minnesota | #182 | 30 |
| Hawaii | #199 | 5 |
| Iowa | #268 | 13 |
| Michigan | #310 | 29 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Mara is usually pronounced MAHR-uh, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with M and ends in “-ra”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Marra.
Middle names for Mara
A few middle names that flow with Mara: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mara
Similar names
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Lists that include Mara
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mara mean?
Mara is a Hebrew name that means “bitter”.
What is the origin of the name Mara?
Mara has Hebrew roots. Mara is a Hebrew name meaning "bitter." In the Book of Ruth, Naomi, grieving after the deaths of her husband and sons, tells the women of Bethlehem to call her Mara instead of Naomi.
Is Mara a popular name?
Yes. Mara ranked #589 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Mara a boy or girl name?
Mara is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Mara?
Mara is usually pronounced MAHR-uh. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings