I was at school with a very pleasant
Mara who opened my eyes to the name - previously I'd found the meaning a bit off-putting. Later I had a self-important colleague named
Maura ...
Mara sounds like MA (he's making eyes at me)ruh
Maura sounds like MORE uh in English, MOW (the lawn) ruh in Afrikaans
I wouldn't use either of them, especially
Maura. The only combo to present itself is
Mara Jean.