Origin, Meaning, And History of Martha
Martha is a feminine name of Aramaic origin, derived from the Aramaic word Mārtā meaning ‘mistress.’ It is also believed to be derived from the ancient Greek word Mártha, meaning ‘mistress’ or ‘lady.’
The name Martha is a traditional Biblical name described in the Gospels of Luke and John. According to the Gospels, Martha lived in the village of Bethany in Jerusalem. Jesus is said to have visited the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. While Mary sat listening to Jesus, Martha became distracted by the preparations that needed to be done. She supported Jesus and his twelve disciples and witnessed the resurrection of her brother, Lazarus, by Jesus. Martha is a domineering woman who believed in Jesus’s healing power and has been associated with hospitality and domestic labor. As one of the first to believe in Jesus, she is the patron saint of servants and cooks and is still venerated by Roman Catholics today.
The name Martha has several variations in different languages, such as Márta in Hungarian; Marta in Ukrainian, German, and Dutch; Marthe in French; Martta in Finnish; Mártuska in Hungarian; Maata in Maori; and Morta in Lithuanian.
Martha rose in popularity as a royal name in Scandinavia after being associated with the popular song by The Beatles titled “Martha My Dear.” Since then, Martha has been extensively used in the names of fictional characters in popular culture.
Martha Levinson is a fictional character appearing in the British drama seriesDownton Abbey由女演员莎莉麦克琳。玛莎·琼斯is another fictional character played by Freema Agyeman, appearing in the British science fiction television seriesDoctor Who. She was a British physician and a companion of the Tenth Doctor. Martha Wayne is a fictional character recurring in the American superhero comicsBatmanand is represented as the mother of Bruce Wayne, who eventually becomes Batman when he grows up.
How To Pronounce Martha?
Famous People With The Name Martha
- Martha Dandridge Custis WashingtonFormer First Lady of the US and the wife of Former President George Washington
- Martha Jane CostonAmerican inventor, invented the Coston flare, a device used to signal at sea
- Martha GrahamAmerican dancer, known for her style the Graham technique
- Martha Craven NussbaumAmerican philosopher, known for her work in ancient Greek and Roman philosophy
- Martha Ellen ScottAmerican actress, known for her role in “The Ten Commandments” and “Ben-Hur”
- Martha Helen StewartAmerican businesswoman, writer, and television personality, founder of the Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
Martha On The Popularity Chart
Check out the graphical representation below to understand its popularity and ranking trend over the years.
Popularity Over Time
Martha had significant popularity in the 1980s, after which it slowly declined. In 2021, only 389 babies per million shared this name. Check the graph to understand the trend.
Source:Social Security AdministrationRank Over Time
Martha ranked among the Top 200 most popular names in 1980. However, over the years, its ranking declined. In 2021, it was at rank 728. The graph below will give you more understanding.
Source:Social Security AdministrationNames With The Similar Sound As Martha
If you like the sound of Martha but want more options, take a look at some suggestions below.
Popular Sibling Names For Martha
Other Popular Names Beginning With M
Names With The Similar Meaning As Martha
The name Martha connotes a strong historical meaning. Here are some naming options to discover other than Martha.
Infographic: Know The Name’s Personality As Per Numerology
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How To Communicate The Name In Other Languages
In Nautical Flags
martha
In Sign Language
martha
In Braille Alphabet
martha
In Morse Code
martha
Name Numerology For Martha
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the meaning of the name Martha?
Martha means dedicated to Mars in Latin, warlike, a female version of Marc, and a variant of Martha.
2. What is the origin of the name Martha?
Martha has an Aramaic origin.
3. How to pronounce the name Martha?
Martha is pronounced as maw-thuh.
4. What are some positive traits commonly associated with individuals named Martha?
Individuals named Martha proactively engage with others and play an active role in their communities. They possess a spirit of adventure and a love for travel. They tend to be physically active and enjoy various activities. They have a natural inclination towards seeking stimulating experiences, which can include exploring new things and engaging in recreational substances.
5. What are some interesting historical facts related to the name Martha?
Martha is a name with biblical significance and is mentioned in the Gospels of Luke and John. Martha resided in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem along with her siblings Lazarus and Mary of Bethany. Notably, Martha witnessed the miracle of Jesus raising her brother Lazarus from the dead (1).
6. What are some popular baby names that are similar in style or sound to Martha?
While Martha is traditionally associated with girls, there are appealing boy names that possess a similar sound or ambiance. One such name isMartin, which shares a similar sound with Martha.Mateois another interesting name choice meaning ‘gift of God,’ and shares the style of Martha. Other notable options include Martina, a variation of Martha, andMary, a timeless name with religious significance.
References:
- How Did Jesus Know Mary Martha And Lazarus – Proven Way.
https://www.provenway.org/commandments/how-did-jesus-know-mary-martha-and-lazarus.html#:~:text=When%20Jesus%20and%20his%20followers%20arrived%20at%20Bethany%2C
