The symbolical use of personal names is common in Bantu languages as well. It would not be surprising for a person to change his/her name after experiencing some severe misfortune or affliction, e.g., to Mavuto “Troubles” (Chichewa). In this case the actual meaning of the names cited here probably ought to be put into the text, or their significance, and in addition a certain dramatic impact, will be lost to the listener; e.g., “Don’t call me Naomi, the Happy One,” she answered, “call me Mara, the Sad One . . . ” (Good News Bible). An explanatory footnote is also possible, but this has the distinct disadvantage of diminishing the forcefulness of the original at this point, which is the climax of Chapter 1. Since puns are as popular and appreciated in a Bantu language as in Hebrew, it is not difficult to reproduce the play on words which occurs at the end of this verse; e.g., ” . . . because God Almighty has troubled me very much (or caused my heart to become bitter; Chichewa).”

Source: Wendland 1987, p. 171.