Declining since 2003, #6,546 for girls today.
Popularity of Marah since 1964
Babies named Marah per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 16 |
| 1970s | 88 |
| 1980s | 258 |
| 1990s | 747 |
| 2000s | 770 |
| 2010s | 328 |
| 2020s | 158 |
Meaning & origin
Marah is a biblical name with a stark meaning that has kept it from widespread popularity. First recorded in U.S. data in 1964, it reached its peak rank of 6,546 in 2004, with about 1 in 94,545 girls receiving the name in 2025. The name has been on a declining trajectory since 2003. Though it has never ranked among the top 1,000 names, Marah maintains a quiet presence, especially among families seeking a distinctive Old Testament name. It is not associated with any top states, but its usage is scattered across the country. The similar sound to the more popular Mara and the softer Mari may contribute to its occasional use. Marah's simplicity and strong Hebrew roots give it an understated appeal.
Marah comes from the Hebrew root מָרָה (marah), meaning 'to be bitter'. In the Bible, Marah is a place where the Israelites found bitter water after crossing the Red Sea. As a personal name, it has been used by Jewish and some Christian families, though it remains rare in English-speaking countries.
“Marah” around the world
Where Marah lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
5
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Mara, Rah
Sibling names for Marah
Names that share Marah's style, for a brother or sister.
