Not the same as
Maura,
Maire, or
Moira, of course, but it's certainly similar. I was always under the impression that she liked it, despite people messing it up daily. Everyone insists on calling her
Mary and
Maura. It makes no sense, really, since
Mara's really a very simple name. Because my mom's name is
Mara, though, I probably wouldn't have much of a reaction to a baby with a similar name. Though last year I encountered a 19-year-old also named
Mara, and I was really quite excited. I'd never met another
Mara before.