Marta

About Marta

Marta is an international form of Martha, from an Aramaic word meaning “lady” or “mistress.” It is used across much of Europe and beyond, with a particularly prominent modern namesake in Brazilian footballer Marta. Its concise two-syllable form carries both biblical history and a major sporting association.

Meaning and biblical background

The Aramaic source marta is the feminine form of a word meaning “master.” In the personal name, “lady” or “mistress of the household” conveys the sense.

The biblical Martha is the sister of Mary and Lazarus of Bethany. In the Gospel story, she witnesses Jesus restoring Lazarus to life. This family connection gives the name a specific place in the New Testament.

Marta is used in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Polish, Czech, German, and many other languages. The form without h is therefore an established international name, with a much wider history than a recent English respelling.

Pronunciation and related forms

Spanish and Italian Marta are approximately MAR-tah, with two syllables and stress on the first. The t is clearly sounded. Portuguese, German, and other languages give the same spelling their own vowel and r sounds.

Martha is the familiar English comparison. Martita is a Spanish diminutive, and Russian Marfa belongs to the same wider family.

Marta’s consonants give it a different sound from English Martha, even when the two names refer back to the same biblical figure. Its short form stays recognizable across a large number of languages.

Marta in football

Brazilian footballer Marta became one of the most celebrated players in the women’s game. She was voted the world’s best female player six times: in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2018.

The first five awards came in consecutive years, followed by another victory eight years after the 2010 award. That sequence reflects both a period of sustained dominance and a much longer career at an exceptional level.

At the 2007 Women’s World Cup in China, she received the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player. Her 2018 season also included helping Brazil win the Copa América Femenina title.

Known internationally by her first name, she gives Marta a direct contemporary association with football. The name is central to the public identity under which her performances and awards became familiar.

American usage

Marta’s highest annual birth count for girls in the United States was 444 in 1957, when it ranked #446. It was recorded for ninety-five girls in 2000 and sixty-five in 2010.

In 2025, ninety-two girls received the exact spelling and it ranked #2,056. Its relatively small American counts sit alongside a much broader history of use in other languages.

How popular is Marta?

In 2025, Marta ranked #2,056 among girls in the United States, with 92 recorded uses. The U.S. birth records first list this spelling for girls in 1888; its largest annual count was 444 in 1957. Rankings count each spelling separately. They describe national use, so local familiarity can differ. The popularity chart shows whether the name has remained common, returned after a quieter period, or risen recently.