Märtha is a Swedish variant of Märta, itself a short form of Margareta, which derives ultimately from Margaret. The name Margaret means "pearl" (from Greek μαργαρίτης, margarites), a word of possible Indo-Iranian origin. Historical and Cultural Background Margaret has a long-standing tradition in Christianity, especially through the legend of Saint Margaret of Antioch, a 4th-century martyr said to have been swallowed by a dragon before emerging unharmed. In medieval art, this episode made her a popular symbol of victory over evil. The name has been borne by several queens and princesses across Europe, including Queen Margaret I of Denmark (14th century), who united the Nordic kingdoms. In the Swedish context, Margareta became widely used, and its diminutives—Märta and Märtha—emerged as independent names by the 19th century. The spelling Märtha reflects a stronger adherence to Swedish orthographic conventions. While not as common as Marghareta, it gained some traction, partly due to royal usage. Notable Bearers Princess Märtha of Sweden (1901–1954), later Crown Prince of Norway as wife of Olav V. She was a descendant of the royal House of Bernadotte and actively supported Norwegian welfare work during World War II. Märtha Louise Abel (born 1898), Swedish postcard model and Swedish-American figure. Usage and Distribution According to Swedish name statistics, Märtha was most popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s but has become rare today. It is largely confined to Sweden and Swedish-speaking communities in Finland. The variant Märta is more common. Meaning: "pearl" Origin: Greek (through Margaret) Type: Variant Usage Regions: Sweden, Finland