Martha is a feminine given name (Latin from Ancient Greek Μάρθα (''Mártha''), from Aramaic מרתא (''Mārtā'') "the mistress" or "the lady", from מרה "mistress", feminine of מרי "master"). Variants in different languages: * Maata (Maori) * Марфа (

Marfa Marfa may refer to: Music * Marfa (instrument), an African percussion instrument * Marfa (music), celebratory music of the Hyderabadi Muslims Places * Márfa, a village in Baranya county, Hungary * Marfa, Chad * Marfa, Texas, a city in the hi ...

) (Russian and Belarusian), formerly spelled "Мар ѳа" from the Greek version of the name, that the Russians assimilate in F * Márta (Hungarian) * Marta (Bulgarian, Catalan, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Italian, Latvian, Macedonian, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Serbian, Slovak, Slovene, Spanish, Swedish) * Марта (Marta) (Ukrainian) * Marthe (French, German, Dutch) * Martta (Finnish) * Mártuska (Hungarian) * Moireach (Scottish Gaelic) * Morta (Lithuanian)

People with the name

Martha Martha (Hebrew: מָרְתָא‎) is a biblical figure described in the Gospels of Luke and John. Together with her siblings Lazarus and Mary of Bethany, she is described as living in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem. She was witness ...

, biblical figure *

Martha, mother of Simeon Stylites the Younger Saint Martha ( el, Ἁγία Μάρθα, died 551) was the mother of Simeon Stylites the Younger. She is venerated in the Eastern Orthodox Church on July 4 and in the Catholic Church on July 5. When her parents betrothed her to a young man, she s ...

(died 551), saint of the Eastern Orthodox Church * Marthã (born 1997), Brazilian football player, full name Marthã Fernando Gonçalves Pimenta * Martha Ackmann (born 1951), American author and journalist * Martha Angelici (1907–1973), French operatic soprano * Martha Ankomah (born 1986), Ghanaian actress * Martha Araújo (born 1943), Brazilian sculpture and performance artist *

Martha Argerich Martha Argerich (; Eastern Catalan: �ɾʒəˈɾik born 5 June 1941) is an Argentine classical concert pianist. She is widely considered to be one of the greatest pianists of all time. Early life and education Argerich was born in Buenos A ...

(born 1941), Argentine pianist *

Martha Violet Ball Martha Violet Ball (May 17, 1811 – December 22, 1894) was a 19th-century American educator, philanthropist, activist, writer, and editor. Ball and her sister, Lucy, undertook the work of opening a school for young African American girls in the W ...

(1811–1894), American educator, philanthropist, activist, writer, and editor * Martha E. Cram Bates (1839–1905), American writer, journalist, and newspaper editor *

Martha Beck Martha Nibley Beck (born November 29, 1962) is an American author, life coach, and speaker who specializes in helping individuals and groups achieve greater levels of personal and professional success. She holds three degrees, a BA, MA and PhD f ...

(born 1962), American sociologist *

Martha Warren Beckwith Martha Warren Beckwith (January 19, 1871 – January 28, 1959) was an American folklorist and ethnographer, appointed to the first chair in Folklore established in the U.S. Early life and education Beckwith was born in Wellesley Heights, Mass ...

(1871–1959), American folklorist * Martha Bernays (1861–1951), wife of Sigmund Freud * Martha A. Boughton (1857–1928), American author, educator, and poet *

Martha Brockenbrough Martha Brockenbrough is an American author of fiction and nonfiction for children and adults. Her first book, ''It Could Happen To You: Diary Of A Pregnancy and Beyond'', was published by Andrews McMeel Publishing in 2002. She is the founder of ...

, American author *

Martha Burkhardt Martha Burkhardt (30 April 1874 – 12 January 1956) was a Swiss painter and photographer. Born in the city of Aarau, she spent her childhood in Rapperswil and as an adult made Rapperswil again her home. Early life and education Martha Burkhar ...

(1874–1956), Swiss painter *

Martha Burns Martha Burns (born 23 April 1957)"Martha Burns ret ...

(born 1957), Canadian actress *

Martha Haines Butt Martha Haines Butt (after marriage, Bennett; November 22, 1833 – February 9, 1871) was an American proslavery author primarily known by her maiden name. She was a contributor to various periodicals and magazines, in both the North and South. A ...

(1833–1871), American author and suffragist *

Martha Coakley Martha Mary Coakley (born July 14, 1953) is an American lobbyist and lawyer who served as Attorney General of Massachusetts from 2007 to 2015. Prior to serving as Attorney General, she was District Attorney of Middlesex County from 1999 to 20 ...

(born 1953), former Attorney General of Massachusetts *

Martha Collison Martha Collison (born 23 September 1996) is a British baker and food columnist. She rose to fame after competing as ''The Great British Bake Off''s youngest ever contestant, reaching the quarter-final of the fifth series at age 17. She writes a ...

(born 1996), British baker and food columnist *

Martha Coolidge Martha Coolidge (born August 17, 1946) is an American film director and former President of the Directors Guild of America. She has directed such films as ''Valley Girl'', ''Real Genius'' and '' Rambling Rose''. Early life Coolidge was born in N ...

(born 1946), American film and television director * Martha Parke Custis (1756–1773), daughter of Martha Washington * Martha Foster Crawford (1830–1909), American writer, missionary * Martha E. Sewall Curtis (1858–1915), American suffragist, writer * Martha Davis (1917–1960), American singer and pianist * Martha Davis (born 1951), American new wave singer-songwriter * Martha Derthick (1933–2015), American political scientist *

Martha Dewing Woodward Martha Dewing Woodward (1856–1950) was an American artist and art teacher. According to her obituary in ''The New York Times'', she was "one of the nation's leading painters." Among her accomplishments, she founded the first art school in Provin ...

(1856–1950), artist * Martha Diaz (born 1969), Colombian-American community organizer * Martha De Laurentiis (1954–2021), American film producer * Martha de la Torre, American journalist * Martha deMey Clow (1932–2010), American writer of science fiction *

Martha Dodd Martha Eccles Dodd (October 8, 1908 – August 10, 1990) was an American journalist and novelist. The daughter of William Edward Dodd, US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's first Ambassador to Germany, Dodd lived in Berlin from 1933–1937 an ...

(1908–1990), American journalist and novelist * Martha Dodray, Indian health worker *

Martha Fiennes Martha Maria Twisleton-Wykeham-Fiennes () is an English film director, writer and producer. Fiennes is best known for her film '' Onegin'' (1999), which starred her elder brother, Ralph, and her subsequent film ''Chromophobia'' (2005). Career ...

(born 1964), English film director, writer and producer *

Martha Hall Findlay Martha Hall Findlay (born August 17, 1959) is a Canadian businesswoman, entrepreneur, lawyer and politician who previously served as the president and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, a Calgary-based think tank, and is now senior vice-preside ...

(born 1959), Canadian politician * Martha Finley (1828–1909), American teacher, author *

Martha Firestone Ford Martha Parke Firestone Ford (born September 16, 1925) is an American businesswoman and former principal owner and chairperson of the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). Ford is also on the board of the Henry Ford Health System. ...

(born 1925), American businesswoman *

Martha Gellhorn Martha Ellis Gellhorn (8 November 1908 – 15 February 1998) was an American novelist, travel writer, and journalist who is considered one of the great war correspondents of the 20th century. Gellhorn reported on virtually every major worl ...

(1908–1998), American journalist, novelist, and travel writer * Martha Graham (1894–1991), American dancer and choreographer *

Martha Grimes Martha Grimes (born May 2, 1931) is an American writer of detective fiction. She is best known for a series featuring Richard Jury, a Scotland Yard inspector, and Melrose Plant, an aristocrat turned amateur sleuth. Biography Grimes was born i ...

(born 1931), American writer of detective fiction * Martha Hart (born 1966), Canadian charity benefactor * Martha S. Hearron (1943–2014), American statistician *

Martha Higareda Martha Elba Guadalupe Higareda Cervantes () (born August 24, 1983) is a Mexican actress, producer and screenwriter. Life and career Higareda was born in Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico, the daughter of actress Martha Cervantes and artist and th ...

(born 1983), Mexican actress *

Martha High Martha High (born Martha Harvin in 1945, Victoria, Virginia) is an American female vocalist. Harvin grew up in Washington, D.C., attending Roosevelt High School and singing in Trinity AME Zion Church. She began singing in The Four Jewels (whose ...

(born 1945), American female vocalist *

Martha Howe-Douglas Martha Howe-Douglas is an English actress and writer. She is a member of the British Horrible Histories troupe, in which she starred in the TV series ''Horrible Histories''. She also starred in and co-created ''Yonderland'' and ''Ghosts''. S ...

, English actress and writer * Martha Hunt (born 1989), American fashion model *

Martha Rivers Ingram Martha Robinson Rivers Ingram (born August 20, 1935) is an American billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist. In 1995, Ingram succeeded her late husband as chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Ingram Industries, one of America's lar ...

(born 1935), American business executive and philanthropist *

Martha Issová Martha Issová (also known as Martha Issa; born 22 March 1981) is a Czech film, television and stage actress. Biography Issová was born in Prague. She comes from a family with Syrian roots. She is daughter of actress Lenka Termerová and dire ...

(born 1981), Czech film, television and stage actress *

Martha Waldron Janes Martha Waldron Janes (, Waldron; after first marriage, Sober; after second marriage, Janes; June 9, 1832 – 1913) was an American minister, social reformer, and columnist of the long nineteenth century. Born in Michigan, she was converted when ver ...

(1832–?), American minister, suffragist, columnist *

Martha Jefferson Martha Skelton Jefferson ( ''née'' Wayles; October 30, 1748 – September 6, 1782) was the wife of Thomas Jefferson. She served as First Lady of Virginia during Jefferson's term as governor from 1779 to 1781. She died in 1782, 19 years before ...

(1748–1782), wife of Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States * Martha Kantor (1896–1981), American glass painter * Martha Kwataine, Malawian health and human rights activist * Martha Manning Laurens (1757–1781), wife of

John Laurens John Laurens (October 28, 1754 – August 27, 1782) was an American soldier and statesman from South Carolina during the American Revolutionary War, best known for his criticism of slavery and his efforts to help recruit slaves to fight for thei ...

* Martha Laurens Ramsay (1759–1811), American memoirist and sister of

* Martha Lauzen, American academic and researcher * Martha D. Lincoln (1838–?), American author and journalist *

Martha Perry Lowe Martha Perry Lowe (, Perry; November 21, 1829 - May 6, 1902) was an American writer of poetry and prose, as well as a social activist and organizer. She supported women's rights, temperance, education, and Unitarian organizations. Born in New Ha ...

(1829–1902), American poet, activist * Martha Luna, Venezuelan fashion designer and stylist * Martha Madison (born 1977), American actress * Martha MacCallum (born 1964), American news anchor *

Martha MacIsaac Martha MacIsaac (born October 11, 1984) is a Canadian actress. She has appeared in several feature films, including ''Superbad (film), Superbad'' (2007), ''The Last House on the Left (2009 film), The Last House on the Left'' (2009), ''Dead Before ...

(born 1984), Canadian actress * Martha Manning (born 1952), American clinical psychologist * Martha Márquez Alvarado (born 1984), Mexican politician * Martha Mears (1910–1986), radio and film contralto singer * Martha Mears (author), British midwife and writer * Martha Beall Mitchell (1918–1976), wife of John N. Mitchell, United States Attorney General *

Martha Reed Mitchell Martha Reed Mitchell (March 1818 – February 15, 1902) was an American philanthropist and socialite, well known in charity, art and society circles in the U.S. and abroad. In 1841, she married Alexander Mitchell, one of the sturdy pioneers of ...

(1818-1902), American philanthropist and socialite * Martha Mmola (died 2020), South African politician * Martha H. Mowry (1818-1899), American physician *

Martha Darley Mutrie Martha Darley Mutrie (26 August 1824 – 30 December 1885) was a British painter. Her paintings consisted mostly of fruit and flowers. She grew up in Manchester, England, and studied at the Manchester School of Design. Mutrie's works were s ...

(1824–1885), British painter *

Martha Nichols Martha Nichols (born 1987) is an American choreographer, dancer, and actress. She took first place in the Capezio A.C.E. Awards in 2016 for her work ''Tilted''. Early life Nichols was born on , the daughter of Mary Jane Nichols. They lived in ...

(born 1987), American choreographer and dancer * Martha Nussbaum (born 1947), American philosopher * Martha Capps Oliver (1845–1917), American poet *

Martha Plimpton Martha Plimpton (born November 16, 1970) is an American actress. Her feature-film debut was in '' Rollover'' (1981); she subsequently rose to prominence in the Richard Donner film ''The Goonies'' (1985). She has also appeared in '' The Mosquito ...

(born 1970), American actress * Martha M. Place (1849–1899), American murderer *

Martha Raddatz Martha Raddatz (; born February 14, 1953) is an American reporter with ABC News. She is the network's Chief Global Affairs Correspondent reporting for ABC's '' World News Tonight with David Muir'', ''Nightline'', and other network broadcasts. In a ...

(born 1953), American TV reporter * Martha Jefferson Randolph (1772–1836), daughter of Thomas Jefferson *

Martha Raye Martha Raye (born Margy Reed; August 27, 1916 – October 19, 1994), nicknamed The Big Mouth, was an American comic actress and singer who performed in movies, and later on television. She also acted in plays, including Broadway. She was honored ...

(1916–1994), American comic actress and singer *

Martha Reeves Martha Rose Reeves (born July 18, 1941) is an American R&B and pop singer. She is the lead singer of the Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas which scored over a dozen hit singles, including " Come and Get These Memories", " Nowhere to R ...

(born 1941), American R&B and pop singer *

Martha Rendell Martha Rendell (10 August 1871 – 6 October 1909) was the last woman to be hanged in Western Australia, for the murder of her ''de facto'' husband's son, Arthur Morris, in 1908. She was also suspected of killing his two daughters, Annie and Ol ...

(1871–1909), Australian criminal * Martha Farnsworth Riche (born 1939), American census director *

Martha Roby Martha Kehres Roby ( ; née Dubina; born July 26, 1976) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 2011 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, she defeated the incumbent Democratic U.S. Representati ...

(born 1976), American politician *

Martha Root Martha Louise Root (August 10, 1872 – September 28, 1939) was an American traveling teacher of the Baháʼí Faith in the early 20th century. From the declaration of her belief in 1909 until her death thirty years later, she went around the ...

(1872–1939), teacher of the Bahá'í Faith * Martha Parmelee Rose (1834-1923), American journalist, reformer and philanthropist *

Martha Rosler Martha Rosler (born 1943) is an American artist. She is a conceptual artist who works in photography and photo text, video, installation, sculpture, and performance, as well as writing about art and culture. Rosler's work is centered on everyday ...

(born 1943), American artist * Martha Ross (1939–2019), British actress and radio presenter * Martha J. Ross (1923–2013), American oral historian *

Martha Scott Martha Ellen Scott (September 22, 1912 – May 28, 2003) was an American actress. She was featured in major films such as Cecil B. DeMille's ''The Ten Commandments'' (1956), and William Wyler's '' Ben-Hur'' (1959), playing the mother of Charlto ...

(1912–2003), American actress * Martha Betz Shapley (1890–1981), American astronomer *

Martha Pearson Smith Martha Pearson Smith (pen names, Mattie May, May, Mattie; September 29, 1836 - 1912) was an American poet and musician of the long nineteenth century. She made significant contributions in secular and sacred verse. One of her best songs was "Jenn ...

(1836-?), American poet, musician, temperance activist *

Martha Stewart Martha Helen Stewart (, ; born August 3, 1941) is an American retail businesswoman, writer, and television personality. As founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, she gained success through a variety of business ventures, encompassing pu ...

(born 1941), American businesswoman and television personality *

Martha Stewart (actress) Martha Ruth Stewart Shelley ( Haworth; October 7, 1922 – February 17, 2021), better known as Martha Stewart, was an American actress. She was noted for playing Mildred Atkinson in ''In a Lonely Place'' (1950) alongside Humphrey Bogart. Early ...

(1922–2021), American singer and actress * Martha Tabram (1849–1888), English sex worker * Martha G. Thorwick (1863–1921), Norwegian-born American clubwoman and medical doctor *

Martha Vasconcellos Martha Maria Cordeiro Vasconcellos (born June 18, 1948) is a Brazilian beauty queen who became her country's second Miss Universe winner, after Ieda Maria Vargas first achieved the feat in 1963. She also became the fifth Latin American to win ...

(born 1948), Brazilian beauty queen * Martha Vaughan (1926–2018), American biochemist * Martha Vázquez (born 1953), American judge *

Martha Veléz Martha Veléz (born in New York City on August 25, 1945) is an American singer and actress of Puerto Rican descent. Biography Veléz started singing at age five and won an opera scholarship at age 12, as a mezzo-soprano. She studied for three ...

(born 1945), American actress and singer *

Martha Vickers Martha Vickers (born Martha MacVicar; May 28, 1925 – November 2, 1971) was an American model and actress. Early life Vickers was born Martha MacVicar in Ann Arbor, Michigan; her father was an automobile dealer. She began her career as a mo ...

(1925–1971), American model and actress *

Martha Villalobos Martha García Mejía (born May 30, 1962) is a Mexican former ''luchadora'', or female professional wrestler best known under the ring name Martha Villalobos an active wrestling promoter, running a company named ''Reyes del Ring'' ("Kings of the ...

(born 1962), Mexican professional wrestler * Martha Wainwright (born 1976), Canadian-American folk-rock singer-songwriter *

Martha Wash Martha Elaine Wash (born December 28, 1953) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and producer. Known for her distinctive and powerful voice, Wash first achieved fame as half of the Two Tons O' Fun, who sang backing vocals for the disco si ...

(born 1953), American singer-songwriter *

Martha Washington Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (June 21, 1731 — May 22, 1802) was the wife of George Washington, the first president of the United States. Although the title was not coined until after her death, Martha Washington served as the inaugural ...

(1731–1802), wife of George Washington, first president of the United States * Martha E. Whitten (1842–1917), American author * Martha Loftin Wilson (1834–1919), American missionary worker, journal editor, heroine of the American Civil War * Martha Wintermute (1842–1918), American author and poet * Martha Wolfenstein (1869–1906), American novelist * Saint Martha (Martyr), 3rd-century martyr

Fictional characters

* Martha, the titular character in the animated series '' Martha Speaks'' * Countess Martha Dracula, deceased wife of

Count Dracula Count Dracula () is the title character of Bram Stoker's 1897 gothic horror novel ''Dracula''. He is considered to be both the prototypical and the archetypal vampire in subsequent works of fiction. Aspects of the character are believed by some ...

and late mother of Mavis from the ''

Hotel Transylvania ''Hotel Transylvania'' is an American animated media franchise created by comedy writer Todd Durham and produced by Sony Pictures Animation. It consists of four feature films, three short films, a flash-animated TV series, and several video ...

'' franchise. *Martha Morris-Hunter, a supporting character in '' The Unicorn Chronicles'' series. *

Martha Jones Martha Jones is a fictional character played by Freema Agyeman in the long-running British science fiction television series '' Doctor Who'' and its spin-off series, ''Torchwood''. She is a companion of the Tenth Doctor in ''Doctor Who'', afte ...

, companion of the

Tenth Doctor The Tenth Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the main protagonist of the BBC science fiction television franchise ''Doctor Who''. He is played by David Tennant in three series as well as nine specials. As with previous incarnations of ...

from the BBC series '' Doctor Who'' *

Martha Kent Jonathan Kent and Martha Kent, often referred to as "Pa" and "Ma" Kent (respectively), are fictional characters in American comic books published by DC Comics. They are the adoptive parents of Superman. They live in the rural town of Smallville, ...

, adoptive mother of Clark Kent (Superman) from

DC Comics DC Comics, Inc. (doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with thei ...

Martha Wayne Martha Wayne ( Kane) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with the superhero Batman. She is the mother of Bruce Wayne (Batman), and wife of Dr. Thomas Wayne as well as the pate ...

, mother of

Bruce Wayne Batman is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger, and debuted in Detective Comics 27, the 27th issue of the comic book ''Detective Comics'' on ...

(Batman) from DC Comics * Martha Behamfil, a survivor in the video game '' Identity V'' * Martha Bessell, a character from ''Spring Awakening'' * Martha Brewster, a main character in the play '' Arsenic and Old Lace'' * Martha Dunnstock, a character from the 1988 film ''

Heathers ''Heathers'' is a 1989 American black comedy film written by Daniel Waters and directed by Michael Lehmann, in both of their respective film debuts. The film stars Winona Ryder, Christian Slater, Shannen Doherty, Lisanne Falk, Kim Walker, and ...

'' and it's 2014 musical adaptation * Martha Nielsen, a main character in the German television series

Dark Darkness, the direct opposite of lightness, is defined as a lack of illumination, an absence of visible light, or a surface that absorbs light, such as black or brown. Human vision is unable to distinguish colors in conditions of very low lu ...

{{given name Feminine given names fr:Martha it:Martha la:Martha nl:Martha no:Martha pt:Martha fi:Martha vi:Martha