Mary

Meaning & origin

Mary is a name of profound historical and religious significance. In the latest data for 2025, it ranks 125th among girls, given to about 1 in 721 baby girls. While this is a far cry from its peak in 1880, when it was the number one name, Mary remains a classic choice, particularly in the Southern United States. The trajectory for the name has been falling since 1985, reflecting a broader trend away from traditionally dominant names. Among the states, it is most popular in Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas, where it continues to be used at higher rates. First recorded in Social Security data in 1880, Mary has been a fixture in American naming for well over a century, and its enduring presence speaks to its deep cultural roots.

Mary is the English form of Maria, which derives from the Greek Mariam or Maria, themselves from the Hebrew Miryam. The exact Hebrew meaning is uncertain; proposed derivations include 'sea of bitterness' (from mar yam), 'rebelliousness' (from meri), and 'wished-for child' (from mara). An Egyptian origin from mry 'beloved' or mr 'love' has also been suggested. The name was borne in the New Testament by the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, and its widespread use in Christian cultures stems from this central religious figure. Mary has been one of the most enduring and popular feminine names in the English-speaking world, consistently used since the Middle Ages.