Mara is a distinctive choice, ranked #369 in 2024. Your child is likely to be the only Mara in their class.
💎
UK Rank 2024
#369
US Rank #588
About the Name Mara
2024 marks Mara's peak year in UK records so far, sitting at UK #369. The name has climbed 136 places in the last five years — a significant surge by any measure. The name has been a consistent presence in UK records since 1996.
Mara is distinctive enough that your child will likely be the only one in both their class and their school — standing out on every register.
In the US it sits at #588 — notably more popular in the UK than across the Atlantic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the name Mara
Unlikely. With around 118 UK babies named Mara per year, your child will almost certainly be the only Mara in her class, and possibly the only one in the whole school.
Mara is currently rising in popularity in the UK, up 136 places over the last five years to #369 in 2024. If this trend continues, it will become more common in classrooms over the next decade.
Mara is more popular in the UK (#369) than in the US (#588). Names with strong rankings in both countries tend to have broad cross-cultural appeal, working well for international families or those with ties to both nations.
Notable people named Mara include: Tânia Mara — Tânia Mara Araújo Almeida is a Brazilian singer and actress.; Mara Liasson — Mara Liasson is an American journalist and political pundit.; Aday Mara — Aday Mara Gómez is a Spanish college basketball player for the Michigan Wolverines of the Big Ten Conference..
Mara ranks #588 in the US top 1,000 (2024). It's recognised in America but considerably more popular in the UK.
118
UK babies named Mara (2024)
< 1
Expected classmates with this name (class of 28)
~0.1
In a school of 600
↑ 136 places
Rank change (last 5 years)
🏫 Who else is in the room?
In a typical UK class of 28, highlighted children share the name Mara
Likely around 1 other Mara in the class
UK Popularity (1996–2024)
Rank and birth count · ONS official data
US Popularity (2020–2024)
Rank · SSA official data
✨ Similar names to Mara
Names with a similar style — each with their own classroom story
Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, was a Fijian politician who served as Chief Minister from 1967 to 1970, when Fiji gained its independence from the United Kingdom, and, apart from one brief interruption in 1987, as the first Prime Minister from 1970 to 1992. He subsequently served as president from 1993 to 2000.
Mara Liasson is an American journalist and political pundit. She is the national political correspondent for NPR, and a contributor at Fox News Channel.
Aday Mara Gómez is a Spanish college basketball player for the Michigan Wolverines of the Big Ten Conference. He was an NCAA national champion and the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year in 2026.
Mara, in Buddhism, refers to any form of malicious force hindering enlightenment. In the story of the Awakening of Prince Siddhartha Māra appears as a powerful Asura, trying to seduce him with his celestial army and a vision of beautiful maidens (accharā) who, in various legends, are often said to be Mara's daughters.
Mara Branković, or Mara Despina Hatun, in Europe also known as Amerissa, Sultana Maria or Sultanina, was a Serbian princess, who married Sultan Murad II of the Ottoman Empire. She became a leading member of the pro-Ottoman party in the Balkans and one of the most powerful women of the 15th century.
Marilyn Joan Long, known professionally as Mara Corday, was an American actress, showgirl, model and Playboy Playmate who was a 1950s cult figure during the Golden Age of Hollywood.