A character in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, Naomi was the wife of Elimelech and the mother of two sons Mahlon and Chilion. When her husband dies she tried to send her daughter's-in-law Ruth and Orpah. (Ruth is who the book Naomi appears in is named) back to their families, but they refuse. Orpah goes back, but Ruth insists of following her mother-in-law. When Naomi and Ruth go to Bethlehem Naomi tells the people of Bethlehem to call her Mara because of all the misfortunes that have befallen her.