Georgian Soprano, Lamara Chqonia
- Origin: Georgian ლამარა
- Meaning: “of Mary.”
- Gender: feminine
- lah-MAH-rah; lah-MAHR-yah
The name is derived from the Svan term meaning “of Mary,” referring to the Virgin Mary as in the case of the church name in Svaneti უშგულის ლამარია (Ushgulis Lamaria). Lamara is the name of a 1928 Georgian play by Grigol Robakidze.
Lamaria ლამარია is also the name of a Svan folk goddess of fertility, cattle, the hearth and women. Her name is most likely influenced by the Christian Virgin Mary and it is unknown if the goddess is a synchronized folk saint or if the name was changed after Christianity was introduced into the area.
Both names have recently become prevalent in Chechnya & Kazakhstan.
It is borne by Georgian soprano Lamara Chqonia (b. 1930).
In the United States, it is sometimes used as a feminine form of Lamar.
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