The Baby Name Wizard

Reader Contributions

Contribute to, or edit, this collection of community wisdom on the name Martha!

Comments and insights on the name Martha: | Edit

I have frequently heard Christian women identify themselves as either "Marys" or "Marthas", referring to the New Testament sisters, one of whom sat attentively while Jesus spoke, while the other, Martha, concerned herself with housework and tending to her guests. The Martha designation seems to be a kind of short-hand to indicate a woman takes her home responsibilities very seriously.

Personal experiences with the name Martha: | Edit

Although I associate the name Marcie with the 1960's, my grandmother, born in 1917, was called Marcie as a nickname for Martha when she was young.

I was born in 1982, and named Martha. I first began to dislike my name when I was three years old and starting pre-school. It bothered me all through grade-school and junior high, and when I turned 16 I legally changed it to Kate, which everyone agreed suited me much better. I am now 27, and have never regretted my decision.

My mother has a pair of cousins who are twins called Mary and Martha. I always thought that was pretty cool!

I was also born in 1982, and named Martha. I love my name! It is a family name, but my mother chose it just because she liked it. I liked not being one of the 7 Sarahs, Katies, or Jennifer's in my class, but it's not strange either. I think it's a classy name but still sweet, but not too frilly, and I like that it means "a lady". I was never teased, and only a few people have ever used a nickname (Marty, Matti, Mart), mostly I just go by Martha. The only thing that has bothered me is when people refer negatively to the Martha in the Bible all the time and imply that she was a bad person for paying attention to what needed to be done, when that wasn't exactly the point. So when people talk about how you should be a "Mary" and not a "Martha" it's annoying.

Nicknames for Martha: | Edit

Mot, Marty, Marti, Matti, Mattie, Patsy, Marcie, Marthie, Marta, Mittie, Mitzie, Millie, Molly,Mart, Mar

Meanings and history of the name Martha: | Edit

Share what you know!

Famous real-life people named Martha: | Edit

Martha Argerich, international concert pianist
Martha Nibley Beck, author and life coach
Martha McCully, executive director of "In Style" magazine and judge on TV program "Design Star".
Theodore Roosevelt's mother, Martha, was called "Mittie".
Martha Stewart, entertainment celebrity.
Martha Wainwright, singer-songwriter
Martha Washington, wife of first American President George Washington.

Martha in song, story & screen: | Edit

"Ella se Llamaba Martha" song from early 1980s "Her Name was Martha"
"Martha"- song by Tom Waits
"Martha Speaks", a television show
"Martha My Dear", song by the Beatles.
Martha Jones, travelling companion on "Doctor Who"
Martha Clark Kent, Superman's foster mother (DC comic book character)
Martha Wayne, Batman's mother (DC comics)
Martha is the name of the maid in 'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett.