Between the Biblical association and the word 'mar', I've always found
Mara so heavy and negative feeling. Whereas
Marcella feels much more sunny and upbeat. They are very different in feel for me, so the idea of
Mara as a nickname for
Marcella is a bit odd. But it does 'work' technically speaking.
Three boys nappin', one mama namenerdin'
To peruse my top 100ish names:
http://www.behindthename.com/pnl/82589
He is becoming greater, I am becoming less
Bits of the journey here:
http://jodifriesen.blogspot.ca/And some family cuteness here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/41705228@N08/