Mara

When I found out I was pregnant with a girl I knew instantly her name would be Mara. My partner didn’t object but asked “why” - it wasn’t a family name, a particularly common name, I have never mentioned the name or a person with that name before. I told my partner - there was a wonderful woman at the end of my hall in my freshman year dorm named Mara. She was small and quiet and I didn’t know her well. But I knew she was also brilliant and kind and caring and strong and she was a friendly face when I needed one the most. And without further discussion, we named our daughter Mara. She has lived up to her name sake - namely small and a friendly face when I needed one the most navigating parenthood.

-Erin, Downingtown, PA USA