Of Aramaic origin.
From the Aramaic word “mārtā”, meaning lady, hostess.
Martha is the Latin form of the ancient Greek name “Μάρθα”.
In the New Testament, Martha was the sister of Lazarus and Mary of Bethany.
In Western Europe the name was used after the Protestant Reformation.
Other forms of the name are: Marta, Martie, Matty, Patsy, Pattie.
Famous bearers are: Martha Graham, Martha Argerich, Martha Reeves, Martha Plimpton, Martha Julia, Martha Fiennes, Martha Stewart, Martha Jefferson, Martha Washington, Martha Grimes, Martha Scott.
Dancer, choreographer Martha Graham’ influential significance is quoted in Wikipedia:” Martha Graham was an American modern dancer and choreographer whose influence on dance has been compared with the influence of Picasso on modern visual arts, the influence of Stravinsky on music, and the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright on architecture”.
Gregory Peck speaks about Martha Graham in the following tribute: