Everything about the name MARTHA
Meaning, origin, history
The earliest known reference to the name Martha appears in the New Testament of the Bible, where she is introduced as the sister of Lazarus and Mary of Bethany. According to the Gospel of John, Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead at Martha's request. This biblical story has contributed significantly to the enduring popularity of the name Martha throughout Christian communities.
Throughout history, there have been many notable women named Martha. Some examples include Martha Washington, the wife of the first U.S. President George Washington; Martha Stewart, a renowned American businesswoman and television personality; and Martha Graham, an influential American dancer and choreographer.
The name Martha has also inspired various works of literature, art, and music throughout history. For instance, it is the title character in the novel "Martha" by Henry Fielding, and the inspiration behind the song "Martha My Dear" by The Beatles.
In contemporary times, the name Martha continues to be popular among parents looking for classic yet timeless names for their daughters. Despite its origins dating back over two thousand years, the name Martha remains relevant and beloved today.
See also
Popularity of the name MARTHA since 1880
Birth evolution
Popularity analysis
The name Martha has seen a varied range of popularity over the years in the United States, as indicated by the birth statistics provided. The earliest data available dates back to 1882 with 10 births that year. The number of births fluctuated significantly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, ranging from a low of 5 births in 1885 to a high of 47 births in 1939.
The most notable trend is the steady increase in the popularity of the name Martha starting from the mid-1920s until its peak in the late 1930s. Between 1923 and 1939, the number of babies named Martha more than quadrupled, reaching an all-time high of 47 births in 1939.
However, this trend did not continue into the post-WWII era. The popularity of the name Martha began to decline, with only 25 births recorded in both 1942 and 1943. This downward trend continued through the 1950s and 1960s, with fewer than 20 babies named Martha each year.
The most recent data available is from 1995, which saw 11 births with the name Martha. While this number is far lower than the peak in the late 1930s, it still demonstrates that the name Martha continues to be given to newborn girls in the United States today, albeit less frequently than in previous decades.
In total, there were 1,991 babies named Martha born in the United States between 1882 and 1995. This statistic provides insight into the enduring, if somewhat waning, popularity of the name Martha over time.