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Mary

♀ Girl

Pronounced MAIR-ee /ˈmɛər.i/High

Meaning: Possibly 'beloved,' 'bitterness,' or 'wished-for child' — from Hebrew <em>Miryam</em>, meaning uncertainMedium

In 30 seconds: The most influential women's name in Western history, Mary carries the weight of faith, love, and centuries of devotion. From the Virgin Mary to Marie Curie, it has never truly fallen out of use — a name of incomparable depth and simplicity.
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Origin HighHebrew, Aramaic
MeaningPossibly 'beloved,' 'bitterness,' or 'wished-for child' — from Hebrew <em>Miryam</em>, meaning uncertain
Peak year1921
Total births (all-time)≈ 4,123,200

Popularity in the U.S. · SSA data

peak 192118802017

U.S. births per year (Social Security Administration, 1880–present). Pink marker = peak year.

History & Origin

Mary is the English form of Maria, the Latin and Greek form of Miriam (Hebrew: Miryam). The meaning of Miryam is debated: proposed origins include Hebrew roots meaning 'sea of bitterness,' 'beloved,' 'wished-for child,' or 'obstinacy.' The name is given overwhelming importance in Christianity as the name of the mother of Jesus.

Mary has been used throughout the Christian world since the early centuries of the church, spreading wherever Christianity took hold. It was the most popular girls' name in England for centuries and dominated U.S. charts from 1880 through 1961. Though now much less common as a standalone name, it endures in forms like Maria, Marie, and countless compounds (Mary-Kate, Mary-Grace).

Did you know? Mary was the #1 girls' name in the United States every single year from 1880 (when SSA records begin) through 1961, a 82-year reign unmatched by any other name in recorded U.S. history.

Variations

MariaMarieMiriamMariMáriaMariam

Nicknames

MollyMaePollyMay

Famous Bearers

  • ★Mary, mother of Jesus (1st century)
    Central figure of Christianity, mother of Jesus Christ.
  • ★Marie Curie (1867–1934)
    Polish-French physicist and chemist, first woman to win a Nobel Prize.

If you like Mary…

Elizabeth— the other dominant classic of English and Christian history
Margaret— similarly distinguished classic with centuries of royal and saintly use

Frequently Asked

What does the name Mary mean?

Mary comes from the Hebrew <em>Miryam</em>, whose exact meaning is debated — proposed meanings include 'beloved,' 'sea of bitterness,' and 'wished-for child.'

How do you pronounce Mary?

Mary is pronounced MAIR-ee /ˈmɛər.i/ — two syllables with stress on the first.

Is Mary a boy or girl name?

Mary is an exclusively feminine name in English.

How popular is Mary?

Mary was the #1 U.S. girls' name every year from 1880 through 1961. While no longer at the top, it remains a timeless classic in regular use.