Anonymous wrote:We’re honoring a Maureen and a Margaret so we know we want some sort of Mar name. These are our two favorites but entirely stumped on which one is better. Thoughts? Any other ideas?
Planning on saying it Mahr-uh but Mair-en which I feel like are the most intuitive.

I like these names just fine. I've heard the "bitter" meaning, but I don't think that would bother me. Mara sounds a little prettier than Maren, IMO.

Mary - how lovely! Easy to pronounce, universally recognized, simple, classic!

Marguerite

Marjorie

Martha

Meredith - my DD’s name (she’s 20)

Maura (but you’ll get More-ah and not Mahr-uh)

Mara!

Because Marah's origin means bitter in Hebrew it's become associated with the sea....

I much prefer Maren and many of the other suggestions here - Maura, Marion especially

I love the name Maren (pronounced Mehr-en).

Mara means bitter in Hebrew.

I love Marion.

I like Maris and Marina

I taught a Maren, pronounced Mahr-en, and a Merrin. I thought both were lovely.

Mara is also pretty, but you’d have to decide if the meanings bother you. In the book of Ruth Naomi says to call her Mara (bitter) because of her bitter suffering. I didn’t realize it had negative meanings in other cultures as well.

Mara is a classic!

The latter would be pronounced MAY- ren

Marah

Mara Lago

I like Maren but I think using a less common pronunciation is always hard, so I will vote for Mara.

If you are asking for other choices my choice would be Margot.

Mara. It was my top choice for a girl, but I ended up having a boy.