Hoping for some thoughts on [name_f]Mara[/name_f]? Thanks! 
Very cute! It’s short and sweet, but I wouldn’t know how to shorten it to a nickname though
[name_f]Mara[/name_f] is exquisite. It wouldn’t need a nickname [name_f]IMO[/name_f] - nicknames aren’t a necessity as hey, look, the baby has a name! 
I do love [name_f]Mary[/name_f] and the many variations thereof ([name_f]Mariam[/name_f]/[name_f]Maryam[/name_f], [name_f]Mary[/name_f], [name_u]Marion[/name_u]/[name_u]Marian[/name_u], [name_f]Maire[/name_f], [name_f]Maura[/name_f], Mhairi, [name_f]Mariana[/name_f], [name_f]Maria[/name_f]) and [name_f]Mara[/name_f] is also the name of the main character of [name_f]Mara[/name_f], Daughter of the [name_u]Nile[/name_u] by [name_u]Eloise[/name_u] [name_m]Jarvis[/name_m] McGraw who really adds to my perception of the name - she’s spunky, fierce, a little mournful, beautiful, and tbh a real wildcat. So whereas I guess it could (?) want a little character to someone who doesn’t have that connection (the book was the first time I’d heard it so I’ve never really had to evaluate the name outside of that context) for me there’s nothing lacking. I do infinitely prefer it to [name_f]Lara[/name_f], and as a matter of fact [name_f]Sara[/name_f] (although that is much more similar). I’d pronounce it MAHR-uh (basically like the letter ‘r’!).
I think it’s lovely.
I think it’s simple and I don’t have any preconceptions about a girl with that name. It’s humble and sweet, although not my personal style.
It is lovely. I prefer Croatian Maša ([name_f]Masha[/name_f] for those who can’t see š letter.)