Girl New Testament Known
Martha
who becomes bitter; provoking
Μάρθα Martha
Martha (Greek: Μάρθα, Martha) means “who becomes bitter; provoking”, by traditional interpretation. It appears in 12 verses across 2 books of the Bible. In 2025 it was given to 393 children in the United States, ranking 712. Use is rising. Around 553,732 Americans have been given it since 1880. Appears in the same passages as Andrew.
The bearer in scripture
One person in scripture bears this name.
-
Martha
Scripture against society
The two measures, side by side
At a glance
- Verses
- 12 across 2 books
- Bearers
- 1 one person only
- Testament
- New
- Era
- Gospels
Using it today
Based on 2025 births across the United States.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| Given in 2025 | 393 | Rising |
| All-time total | 553,732 | Since records begin in 1880 |
| Peak | 10,673 in 1947 | Its highest year on record |
| Strongest state | TX | Highest share relative to births |
The same name elsewhere
| Country | Form | Standing | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Martha | rank 712 · 393 in 2025 | Births in year |
| Brazil | MARTA | 214,961 bearers · born 1930–2010 | Living residents |
| Spain | MARTA | 229,080 bearers · mean age 35.1 | Living residents |
| Portugal | Marta | permitted | IRN approved list |
Two different questions are shown here. Rows marked births in year count children registered during a period; rows marked living residents count people of every age alive at a census. They answer different questions and are never added together.
In scripture
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| First appears | Luke 10:38 |
| Last appears | John 12:2 |
| Cross-references | 191 linked passages |
Names connected to this one
- Mary co-occurrence Appears with Mary in John 11.
- Lazarus co-occurrence Appears with Lazarus in John 11.
- Simon co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Simon.
- Caiaphas co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Caiaphas.
- Andrew co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Andrew.
- Thomas co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Thomas.
- Judas co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Judas.
- Philip co-occurrence Appears in the same passages as Philip.
Origin & meaning
Μάρθα, -ας (Bl., § 7, 2), ἡ (Aram. מָרְתָּא),
Martha: Luk.10:38, 40-41, Jhn.11:1, 5 11:19 ff. Luk.12:2.†
(AS)
Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus, hosted Jesus in her home.
The biblical story
Martha was a woman from Bethany who, along with her siblings Mary and Lazarus, was a close friend of Jesus. When Jesus visited their home, Martha welcomed Him and busied herself with serving, while her sister Mary sat at Jesus' feet, listening to His teachings. Martha complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping her, but Jesus gently reminded her that Mary had chosen the better part by focusing on His words (Luk.10.38-42). Later, when Lazarus fell ill and died, Martha went out to meet Jesus and expressed her faith in Him, saying that if He had been there, her brother would not have died. Jesus reassured her that Lazarus would rise again and proclaimed Himself as the resurrection and the life (Jhn.11.1-44). After Lazarus was raised from the dead, Martha served a meal for Jesus and His disciples, demonstrating her love and gratitude (Jhn.12.2).
Key verses
Martha appears in 12 verses. Here are some of the most notable:
-
Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
Luke 10:38 -
But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
Luke 10:40 -
And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
Luke 10:41 -
Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.
John 11:1 -
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.
John 11:5
Show all 12 references
Luke (3)
- Luke 10:38
- Luke 10:40
- Luke 10:41
John (9)
- John 11:1
- John 11:5
- John 11:19
- John 11:20
- John 11:21
- John 11:24
- John 11:30
- John 11:39
- John 12:2
Name variants & nicknames
- Marta — Spanish & Portuguese
- Marty — nickname
- Mattie — nickname