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Name at a glance

Martha

Martha is an Aramaic name often understood as lady or mistress of the house.

Ranked #713 in US baby names in 2025, peaked at #14 in 1882, stable over the past 5 years.

Martha is remembered as a friend of Jesus, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, and a woman whose story includes service, grief, and a strong confession of faith.

Browse names
OriginAramaic
GenderGirl
FeelHospitable
PronunciationMAR-thuh

Is Martha biblical?

Yes

Biblical status Direct biblical person

Martha is a named person in Scripture, the sister of Mary and Lazarus who confesses Jesus as the Christ in John 11:27.

Is Martha a Christian name?

Yes

Christian tradition Foundational, across traditions

Martha is honored across Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions as Saint Martha of Bethany and has been used in Christian families for centuries.

Plain answer

Martha is a New Testament name for the sister of Lazarus who confesses Jesus as the Christ, honored across Christian traditions as Saint Martha and long used by Christian families.

Confidence Moderate Last reviewed July 19, 2026 How this works

Meaning

The meaning of Martha

Martha is usually connected with an Aramaic word meaning lady or mistress. The meaning fits her biblical setting, where she is often associated with household hospitality.

Gospels

Martha, Mary, and Jesus

Martha appears in Luke and John as part of the household at Bethany. She is often remembered for serving, but her biblical portrait is more substantial than a simple contrast with Mary.

In John 11, after Lazarus dies, Martha speaks with Jesus and confesses him as the Christ, the Son of God. That gives the name a strong theological moment.

Christian reading

Service and confession

Martha's story holds together practical service and explicit faith. She is active, hospitable, grieving, questioning, and believing.

For naming, Martha may appeal to families who value hospitality, honesty, and a faith that speaks in the middle of loss.

Sound

How to pronounce Martha

Phonetic
MAR-thuh
IPA
/ˈmɑɹθə/

2 syllables · stress: MAR-thuh · ends in a vowel

Forms

Variants and nicknames

Alternate spellings

  • Marta
  • Marthe
  • Marfa
  • Marte

Short forms and nicknames

  • Marty
  • Mattie
  • Pattie

Languages

Martha in other languages

Aramaic
MartaAramaic Marta means "lady" or "mistress"; it is the source form for the Greek and Latin Martha.
Greek
ΜάρθαMartha
Latin
Martha
Spanish
Marta
French
Marthe
German
Martha
Italian
Marta
Russian
МарфаMarfa
Polish
Marta

Christian background

Christian and biblical background

Martha has Christian significance through her friendship with Jesus, her hospitality, and her confession in John 11.

Scripture

The biblical figure

Martha is the sister of Mary and Lazarus and a friend of Jesus in Luke and John.

Bearers

Notable people named Martha

  • biblical

    Martha of BethanySister of Mary and Lazarus, host to Jesus in Luke 10 and confessor of his identity in John 11

  • historical

    Martha WashingtonFirst First Lady of the United States, 1731 to 1802

  • historical

    Martha GrahamAmerican modern dancer and choreographer, 1894 to 1991

  • historical

    Martha GellhornAmerican novelist and war correspondent for sixty years, 1908 to 1998

  • modern

    Martha StewartAmerican businesswoman, writer, and television personality, born 1941

  • modern

    Martha NussbaumAmerican philosopher at the University of Chicago, born 1947

Saint

Saint Martha of Bethany

Traditions
Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican
Patron of
cooks, hospitality, hotel-keepers, waiters and waitresses, housekeepers

Pope Francis in 2021 expanded the Catholic commemoration to include Mary and Lazarus alongside Martha, joining the three Bethany siblings into a single feast of "Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus." Orthodox tradition commemorates Martha among the myrrh-bearing women.

Naming history

Naming tradition and history

Martha has been used in Christian families for centuries. It has a traditional, grounded sound and has often been associated with domestic strength and service.

Recent US use

Martha in recent US use

Rank in 2025
#713
Peak rank
#14 in 1882
Recent trend
stable over the last 5 years
Years in the SSA records
146 (since 1880)

Source: US Social Security Administration baby name data, 1880-2025.

Sibling fit

Sibling name suggestions

Pairings

Names paired with Martha

  • Marysister

    Mary of Bethany and Martha are sisters who host Jesus in Luke 10 and John 11-12.

  • Lazarusbrother

    Lazarus is the brother of Martha and Mary; Jesus raises him in John 11 after Martha confesses Jesus as the Christ.

For families

For families looking at Martha

For a Christian family, Martha offers a biblical girls' name with practical warmth and deep Gospel roots. It feels sturdy, honest, and quietly faithful.

Common questions

What does Martha mean?

Martha is usually understood as lady or mistress of the house.

Is Martha a biblical name?

Yes. Martha appears in Luke and John as a friend of Jesus.

Why is Martha important in the Bible?

Martha is important for her hospitality and for her confession of faith in John 11.

Sources

Sources for Martha

  • The Hebrew and Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament, Koehler and BaumgartnerSupports: Aramaic etymology; meaning 'lady' or 'mistress'.
  • The Gospel of John, King James Version (KJV 1769)Supports: biblical figure Martha of Bethany; confesses Jesus as the Christ (John 11:27).
  • The Oxford Dictionary of Saints, David Hugh Farmer (5th edition)Supports: Saint Martha of Bethany; patron of hospitality; feast day (July 29).

Last reviewed July 19, 2026. See our methodology, or report an error on the corrections page.

Read next

Related names

MaryMartha's sister; the two appear together in Luke 10:38-42, John 11, and John 12 - the Bethany siblings around Jesus.MagdaleneBoth are New Testament women associated with substantial Christological confessions; Martha's at Lazarus' tomb, Magdalene's at the empty tomb.LydiaBoth are New Testament women defined by hospitality and household leadership; Martha at Bethany, Lydia at Philippi.GraceMartha receives Jesus' famous 'one thing needful' teaching in Luke 10:42; Grace expresses the same theology in virtue-name form.