Girl
Mara
bitter
About Mara
Mara strikes with immediate impact—a name that's simultaneously ancient and contemporary, simple yet profound. This two-syllable choice creates a strong, clear sound that's impossible to forget. Mara carries an understated power, the kind of name that doesn't need embellishment to make its presence known.
The name's brevity might suggest simplicity, but Mara holds layers of cultural and literary significance that give it unexpected depth. It appears across different traditions and time periods, demonstrating remarkable staying power. Parents who choose Mara often appreciate names that are straightforward yet substantial, accessible yet distinctive.
Mara works beautifully in multicultural families, being pronounceable across languages while maintaining its essential character. The name suggests someone confident, direct, and unafraid to stand out. It carries a slightly mysterious quality—intriguing without being obscure, memorable without being flashy. Mara represents refined minimalism in name form.
Popularity of the Name Mara
Rank among the 1,000 most popular baby names, by year.
| United States | United Kingdom | Ireland | Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | #920 | |||
| 1951 | #873 | |||
| 1952 | #808 | |||
| 1953 | #891 | |||
| 1954 | #700 | |||
| 1955 | #743 | |||
| 1956 | #717 | |||
| 1957 | #828 | |||
| 1958 | #767 | |||
| 1959 | #880 | |||
| 1960 | #841 | |||
| 1961 | #766 | |||
| 1962 | #810 | |||
| 1963 | #794 | |||
| 1964 | #773 | |||
| 1965 | #709 | |||
| 1966 | #726 | |||
| 1967 | #639 | |||
| 1968 | #654 | |||
| 1969 | #619 | |||
| 1970 | #607 | |||
| 1971 | #626 | |||
| 1972 | #594 | |||
| 1973 | #627 | |||
| 1974 | #666 | |||
| 1975 | #647 | |||
| 1976 | #574 | |||
| 1977 | #668 | |||
| 1978 | #621 | |||
| 1979 | #700 | |||
| 1980 | #674 | |||
| 1981 | #708 | |||
| 1982 | #726 | |||
| 1983 | #709 | |||
| 1984 | #719 | |||
| 1985 | #812 | |||
| 1986 | #824 | |||
| 1987 | #688 | |||
| 1988 | #605 | |||
| 1989 | #554 | |||
| 1990 | #537 | |||
| 1991 | #578 | #708 | ||
| 1992 | #614 | |||
| 1993 | #610 | #790 | ||
| 1994 | #606 | #884 | ||
| 1995 | #625 | #780 | ||
| 1996 | #584 | #734 | ||
| 1997 | #568 | #660 | ||
| 1998 | #590 | #759 | ||
| 1999 | #645 | #799 | ||
| 2000 | #606 | #737 | ||
| 2001 | #622 | #577 | ||
| 2002 | #608 | #720 | ||
| 2003 | #639 | #627 | ||
| 2004 | #642 | #555 | #538 | |
| 2005 | #672 | #470 | ||
| 2006 | #683 | #709 | #603 | |
| 2007 | #752 | #620 | ||
| 2008 | #811 | #643 | ||
| 2009 | #754 | #590 | ||
| 2010 | #868 | #747 | ||
| 2011 | #846 | #627 | ||
| 2012 | #798 | #918 | #724 | #714 |
| 2013 | #742 | #786 | #761 | |
| 2014 | #694 | #777 | #996 | #794 |
| 2015 | #737 | #720 | #707 | #699 |
| 2016 | #686 | #576 | #464 | #691 |
| 2017 | #668 | #613 | #509 | #688 |
| 2018 | #676 | #511 | #351 | #550 |
| 2019 | #663 | #396 | #782 | #624 |
| 2020 | #628 | #446 | #466 | #550 |
| 2021 | #540 | #397 | #293 | #443 |
| 2022 | #620 | #439 | #377 | #453 |
| 2023 | #581 | #404 | #421 | #497 |
| 2024 | #589 | #301 | #232 | #509 |
| 2025 | #589 | #398 | #347 | #595 |
Top names by country: United States · United Kingdom · Ireland · Canada
Variations of Name Mara
Names Similar to Mara
Nicknames for Mara
- Mar
- Mimi
- Maree
- Marzee
- Mary
Famous People Named Mara
| Mara Wilson | American actress and writer known for her roles in "Matilda" and "Mrs. Doubtfire" |
| Mara Brock Akil | American television writer and producer, creator of "Girlfriends" and "Being Mary Jane" |
| Mara Carfagna | Italian politician and former showgirl |
| Mara Liasson | American political correspondent for NPR |
| Mara Abbott | American professional cyclist and Olympian |
| Mara Lane | American actress and wife of actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers |
| Mara Schiavocampo | American journalist and correspondent for ABC News |
| Mara Venier | Italian television presenter and actress |
| Mara Justine | American singer, known for competing on "American Idol" |
| Mara Roszak | American celebrity hairstylist |
Characters Named Mara
| Mara Sov | Character in the video game franchise Destiny, a queen and leader of the Awoken race |
| Mara Dyer | Protagonist of the Mara Dyer trilogy by Michelle Hodkin, a young girl with mysterious powers |
| Mara, Princess of Xanthos | Character in the "Xanth" fantasy series by Piers Anthony |
| Mara Jade | Character in the "Thrawn" trilogy of Star Wars novels by Timothy Zahn |