Martha
Martha Origin and Meaning
The name of our first First Lady still has something of a prim and proper image, academic and efficient. That quiet, traditional, and tasteful gestalt is exactly what makes Martha appealing to some parents today.
The New Testament Martha, sister of Lazarus and Mary of Bethany, was a solicitous housekeeper who looked after the material welfare of Jesus when he was a guest in her home. For this reason Martha has since been identified with domestic labor and hospitality and is the patron saint of housewives, waiters, and cooks (a la Martha Stewart, who shares her name with her mother).
Martha has been a royal name in Scandinavia, the subject of Beatles song "Martha My Dear," and is also associated with the New England island Martha's Vineyard. Livelier foreign forms that have been used in this country include Marta, Martine, and Martina.
Modern dancer/choreographer Martha Graham would make a notable namesake for a dance aficionado.
Martha Rank in US Top 1000
Martha Rank in Nameberry Top 1000
Martha Popularity
20 Names Similar to Martha
Mary Ruth Betty Dorothy Mildred Esther Agnes Harriet Lois Edith Virginia Margaret Miriam Nancy Tabitha Maude Helen Betsy Louisa Maud
Famous People Named Martha
- Saint Martha of BethanyBiblical figure
- Martha Dandridge Washingtonfirst First Lady of the U.S. as wife of George Washington
- Martha Parkes Custisdaughter of Martha Washington and Daniel Custis
- Martha Helen StewartAmerican lifestyle guru and businesswoman
- Märtha Sofia Lovisa Dagmar Thyra of SwedenCrown Princess of Norway as wife of future King Olav V
- Märtha LouisePrincess of Norway
- Martha Layne CollinsAmerican politician, former governor of Kentucky
- Martha Rose Reevessinger of American group Martha & the Vandellas
- Martha HuntAmerican model and Victoria's Secret Angel
- Martha StreckBrazilian model
- Martha GrahamAmerican dancer and choreographer
- Martha Raye (born Margy Reed)American comedienne and singer
- Martha HyerAmerican actress
- Martha BruceCountess of Elgin and Kincardine
- Martha Ellis GelhornAmerican novelist, once,wife of novelist Ernest Hemingway
- Martha FinleyAmerican children's author
- Martha Craven NussbaumAmerican philosopher
- Martha Campbell PlimptonAmerican actress
- Martha Alice Browngranddaughter of guitarist Jimmy Page
- Martha CollisonEnglish baker
- Martha WainwrightCanadian singer
- Martha BurnsCanadian actress
Martha in Pop Culture
- Martha Jonescompanion on TV's "Doctor Who"
- Martha Levinsoncharacter on TV's "Downton Abbey"
- "Martha Marcy May Marlene" 2011 movie and main character
- Martha M. Masterscharacter on TV's "House"
- Martha Jane MacKenziecharacter on Australian soap "Home & Away"
- Martha Tenantcharacter on TV's "Love Child"
- Marthacharacter in the children's book "Half,Magic" by Edward Eager
- "George & Martha" children's book and TV series about two hippos
- Martha Stanleycharacter in movie "The Proposition"
- Martha Bellisoncharacter in movie "The Invention of Lying"
- Martha Bullockcharacter on TV's "Deadwood"
- Martha Waynemother of Batman
- Martha Kent (nee Clark)adoptive mother of Superman
- Martha Kanecharacter on British soap "Hollyoaks"
- Marthacharacter in movie "Hotel Transylvania'
- Martha Dunnstockcharacter from the movie/musical 'Heathers'
- Marthadog in book series and PBS show, "Martha Speaks"
- Martha Sowerbycharacter in "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett
- Marthacharacter in G. A. Henty's, For the Temple
- Martha Zolanskimusic video character created by singer Nicki Minaj
- Martha Quimbycharacter on TV's "The Simpsons"
- "MarthaMy Dear," song by The Beatles
- Martha's Vineyardisland in Massachusetts, USA
- Martha Stewardcharacter in J.K. Rowling's "Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry"
- Martha Hudsoncharacter on TV's BBC series "Sherlock"
- Marthacharacter in Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes short story "His Last Bow"
- Martha Bradycharacter on TV show "The Brady Bunch"
- Martha Boylemain character of "Olive's Ocean" by Kevin Henkes
- Martha Morsetitle character of "The Martha Years" book series by Melissa Wiley
- Marthaprotagonist of the Black Mirror Episode "Be Right Back"
- Martha Kaplycharacter in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level