Marfen'ka

This name derives from the Ancient Greek “Márthā (Μάρθᾱ),” which in turn derives from the Judæo-Aramaic “martâ,” from the root “mār,” meaning “the mistress, the lady” (the same meaning as Sara, Donna, Leah, Freya, Despoina, and Matrona). The form “Martha” was not used in England until after the Protestant Reformation. 1) Martha of Bethany is a biblical figure reported in the Gospels of Luke and John. Together with his brothers Lazarus and Martha, she is described by John, who lives in the village of Bethany near Jerusalem. 2) Martha of Denmark (1277–1341) was a Swedish Queen consort, spouse of King Birger of Sweden. 3) Märta Erikdotter Leijonhufvud, (in English: Martha) (1520–1584), was a Swedish nobleman. She was the sister of Queen Margaret and sister-in-law of King Gustav I of Sweden. She was also Queen Catherine Stenbock’s maternal aunt and daughter-in-law of Regent Christina Gyllenstierna.