Meaning & History
Mara is a Hebrew name meaning "bitter," originating from the Hebrew word marar (to be bitter). In the Old Testament, Mara is the name that Naomi adopts after losing her husband and two sons (Ruth 1:20), declaring, "Do not call me Naomi ("pleasant"); call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me." The name thus symbolizes grief and divine affliction, but also resilience and lamentation deeply embedded in biblical narrative.
Biblically, Naomi's sorrow transforms her identity, yet the story of Ruth redeems this bitterness by culminating in the birth of Obed, grandfather of King David. As such, Mara, while rare, conveys profound emotional depth and theological reflection on suffering. In modern usage, Mara appears across Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and English Bible contexts. Though predominantly a female name, the related masculine form Merari (meaning "bitter" in Hebrew) appears as the name of a Levite son of Kohath (Exodus 6:16).
Mara can also be a short form of names like Tamara (Hebrew for "palm tree") or Maria, but its independent use remains limited outside biblical references. The name carries a somber cultural weight, occasionally chosen by parents seeking a name with strong spiritual or historical resonance. Notable literary characters named Mara include Mara of Mara and Dann by Doris Lessing, emphasizing themes of survival.
- Meaning: Bitter
- Origin: Hebrew
- Type: Feminine given name
- Usage Regions: Italy, Portugal, Spain, English-speaking countries, Hebrew Bible contexts