Martha

Meaning: Its source is an Aramaic expression meaning "Mistress of the house."

Languages: This girl's name is used in German, Dutch, English, Norwegian, Swedish and Danish.

Nicknames: Marth, Marti, Martie, Marty, Matti, Mattie and Martje

Compound Forms: Mardine

Variant Forms: Marhta, Marthy, Matha, Mirtha and Martita

Non-English Forms: Marta, Marte and Marthe

Popularity: The name Martha ranked 417th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of 2000-2003 Social Security Administration statistics and 38th in popularity for females of all ages in a sample of the 1990 US Census.

This name is highly rated in the 1990 U.S. Census popularity survey of all ages, but after 1960 does not appear in the state data listing the most popular baby names.

Narrative: In Christian scriptures, the house-proud, bustling Martha asks Jesus to instruct her sister Mary (who is sitting at his feet listening to his teachings) to help her prepare a meal. Jesus affectionately rebukes her, saying that while Martha may be concerned with many things, Mary is concerned with the one necessary thing -- the instruction of her soul.

Thus, to characterize two people as ''Mary and Martha'' is to compare one's busyness with the other's contemplative ways.

Arts and Music

Martha Quinn
Television personality.
- One of MTV''s first veejays (see list of MTV's First Veejays)
Martha Reeves (born 1941)
American singer.
- Musical guest on ''''Saturday Night Live'''' (see list of Musical Guests on ''Saturday Night Live'')

Leadership

Martha Craig Daughtrey
American judge.
- Circuit Judge, Sixth Circuit Court (see list of Judges of the U.S. Courts of Appeals)
Martha Graham (born 1894, died 1991)
American dancer and choreographer.
- Embodiment of 20th century dance (see list of Twenty pioneers of human expression who enlightened and enlivened the people of the 20th century)
Martha Wright Griffiths (born 1912)
American legislator.
- Representative, D-Michigan, 1955-74 (see list of Women in the House of Representatives)
Martha Elizabeth Keys (born 1930)
American politician.
- Representative, D-Kansas, 1975-79 (see list of Women in the House of Representatives)
Martha Stewart
- 9th Most Powerful Woman, CEO, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (see list of 2000 Fortune 50 Most Powerful Women in American Business)
- 8th Most Powerful Woman, Chairman, CEO Martha Stewart Living, Omnimedia (see list of 1999 Fortune 50 Most Powerful Women in American Business)
- 11th Most Powerful Woman, Chairman, CEO, Martha Stewart Living, Omnimedia (see list of 1998 Fortune 50 Most Powerful Women in American Business)

Miscellaneous

Martha Coolidge
- 1977 Mademoiselle Award winner (see list of Mademoiselle Award Winners)
Martha Graham (born 1894, died 1991)
American dancer and choreographer.
- 1976 recipient of Presidential Medal of Freedom (see list of Presidential Medal of Freedom Winners)
Martha Wright Griffiths (born 1912)
American legislator.
- Member of National Women''s Hall of Fame (see list of National Women's Hall of Fame Members)
Martha Devotion Huntington
- Wife of Samuel Huntington (see list of Wives of Signers of the Declaration of Independence)
Martha Wayles Skelton Jefferson (born 1748, died 1782)
- Wife of Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President (see list of United States First Ladies)
- Wife of Thomas Jefferson (see list of Wives of Signers of the Declaration of Independence)
Martha
- Variety of rose (see list of Rose Names)
Martha Raye (born 1916)
American comedian and singer. Original name: Margaret Reed.
- 1993 recipient of Presidential Medal of Freedom (see list of Presidential Medal of Freedom Winners)
Martha Sissell
- 1962 Rose Queen (see list of Tournament of Roses, Rose Bowl Queens)
Martha Vasconcellos
- 1968 Miss Universe titleholder, representing Brazil (see list of Miss Universe Winners)
Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (born 1732, died 1802)
- Wife of George Washington, 1st President (see list of United States First Ladies)

Sports

Martha Hoffman
- Member of the Women''s International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame (see list of Women's International Bowling Congress Hall of Fame)
Martha Norelius
American athlete.
- 1924, 1928 Olympic swimming gold medal winner for 400m Freestyle (see list of Olympic Gold Medalists in Freestyle Swimming)

Stage and Screen

Martha Byrne
- Actress on soap opera ''''As the World Turns'''' (see list of Performers on ''As The World Turns'')
Martha Graham (born 1894, died 1991)
American dancer and choreographer.
- 1979 Kennedy Center Honors recipient (see list of Kennedy Center Honors Recipients)
Martha Hackett
- Portrays Seska (see list of Actors on ''Star Trek: Voyager'')
Martha Raye (born 1916)
American comedian and singer. Original name: Margaret Reed.
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television (see list of Television Personalities with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Picture (see list of Movie Personalities with Stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
Martha Scott (born 1914)
American character actress.
- Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame for Live Theatre (see list of Theater Personalites with stars in the Hollywood Walk of Fame)
Martha Shuttlesworth
Fictional character.
- Played by Lonette McKee (see list of Character from Spike Lee's He Got Game)
Martha Maria ''Yeardley'' Smith (born 1964)
- Voice of Lisa Simpson (see list of Voices on ''The Simpsons'')

The Literary World

Martha Mendoza
- 2000 Pulitzer Prize winner with Charles J. Hanley and Sang-Hun Choe for Investigative Reporting (see list of Winners of the Pulitzer Prize for Investigative Reporting)
Martha Rial
- 1998 Pulitzer Prize winner for Spot News Photography (see list of Winners of the Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography)