A female name. apparently the f. of Aramaic mar ‘a lord’; the name of the sister of Mary and Lazarus, whom medieval legend transported with her sister to Provence, where her name became a favourite one (Marthe). It was not, however, used in England until after the Reformation, when it became not uncommon and evolved the nicknames Matty and Patty (cf. Meg and Peg, Molly and Polly).

Hebrew, ‘becoming bitter,’ it is to be compared with Maria and Mary. Now non-aristocratic in England, it has excellent Biblical and saintly precedence.

The Greek name Μαρθα. Littleton derives this name from a Syriac word signifying ‘lady’ (domina). Calmet translates the name ‘who becomes bitter,’ from the Hebrew marar; but he suggests also that the name may be from a Syriac word signifying ‘mistress’ or ‘who teaches.’ Littleton is correct. It is a Syriac feminine formed from the Hebrew כרא = Lord. The nickname is Patty, doubtless originally Matty.

Hebrew (feminine) - Bitterness.

Mar'-tha, who becomes bitter. Sister of Lazarus and Mary, and mistress of the house where our Saviour was entertained in the village of Bethany. Luke x. 38 42.

Meaning: she was rebellious.

A Hebrew name, meaning: Becoming bitter: sorrowful. (Aramean) Lady: the patron saint of good housewives. Martha also has been attributed to the Greek nereid Maria, nymph of God, called lady of the sea or star of the sea.