"sea of bitterness"
Origin: Hebrew
Language: English
Mary
Pronunciation: [ m-EHR-ee ]
Does Mary flow with your last name?
The most enduring name in Western history
English
Irish
Christian
Hebrew
Classic
Traditional
Spiritual
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Nicknames for Mary
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Meaning & Origin
"rebellion"
Origin: Hebrew via Egyptian
Language: English
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The Story of Mary
Mary derives from the Hebrew name Miriam, whose meaning is debated: it may come from 'maryam' meaning beloved or wished-for child, or from 'mar' (bitter) combined with 'yam' (sea), giving 'sea of bitterness' — perhaps a reference to the Israelites' suffering in Egypt. In the New Testament, Mary is the mother of Jesus, making it the most sacred name in Christian tradition and one of the most widely given names in Western history.
Mary was the #1 girl's name in the US from 1880 to 1961 without interruption — a record unmatched by any other name. Its decline began as Catholic naming traditions weakened and parents sought more distinctive choices. Yet Mary endures as a classic that never fully goes out of style.
In the Catholic tradition, Mary as the Virgin Mother of Jesus holds the highest veneration of any female figure. In Ireland, Mary was the de facto national name for generations, given to vast numbers of girls. The name spans virtually every culture that has been influenced by Christianity.
Historical Record
Mary first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 1,361,391 babies have been named Mary in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Mary is past its peak , currently ranked #132 for girl names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Mary was the #1 girl name in the US for 81 consecutive years (1880-1961)
- An estimated 1 in 4 women in medieval England was named Mary
Mary in Other Languages
Arabic
مريم
French
Marie
German
Maria
Hebrew
מִרְיָם
Italian
Maria
Russian
Мария
Spanish
María
Popularity Over Time
#132
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1953
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Mary
M
Mary J. Blige
Musician
1971
American singer-songwriter known as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Grammy Award winner
M
Mary Wollstonecraft
Writer
1759
English writer and philosopher, author of A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, a foundational feminist text
M
Mary Queen of Scots
Royalty
1542
Queen of Scotland 1542-1567, central figure in the religious and political conflicts of 16th-century Britain
V
Virgin Mary
Religious
The mother of Jesus Christ in Christian and Islamic tradition, the most venerated female figure in the world
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Compare Mary with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #132
- Total SSA Count
- 2,196
- Cultural Origins
- English Irish Christian Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Popular in These States
Top states by rank · 2024
Common Nicknames
Molly
Polly
May
Mae
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Mary
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Boy Name
Mary is also used as a boy name, ranked #27871.
View Mary as a boy name →Similar Names
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Same Origin Names (English)
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"youthful; Jove's child"
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Frequently Asked Questions About Mary
What does the name Mary mean?
"sea of bitterness" (from Hebrew). "rebellion" (from Hebrew via Egyptian). Mary derives from the Hebrew name Miriam, whose meaning is debated: it may come from 'maryam' meaning beloved or wished-for child, or from 'mar' (bitter) combined with 'yam' (sea), giving 'sea of bitterness' — perhaps a reference to the Israelites' suffering in Egypt. In the New Testament, Mary is the mother of Jesus, making it the most sacred name in Christian tradition and one of the most widely given names in Western history.
What is the origin of the name Mary?
Mary has Hebrew, Hebrew via Egyptian, English, Irish, and Christian origins. In Hebrew, it means "sea of bitterness". In Hebrew via Egyptian, it means "rebellion".
Is Mary a boy or girl name?
Mary is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #132. As a boy name, it is ranked #27871. Mary is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Mary?
Mary is pronounced m-EHR-ee.
How popular is the name Mary?
Mary is currently ranked #132 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Mary?
Common nicknames for Mary include Molly, Polly, May, and Mae.
What are good middle names for Mary?
Popular middle name pairings include Mary Grace, Mary Elizabeth, Mary Jane, Mary Ann, Mary Rose, Mary Claire, and Mary Louise.
What are good sibling names for Mary?
Names that pair well with Mary as siblings include Anne, Elizabeth, John, James, Margaret, and Catherine.
How many syllables does Mary have?
Mary has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Mary a common or rare name?
Mary is a popular name, ranked #132 for girls. It is well-known without being overused.
What girl names are similar to Mary?
About the Name Mary
Mary is a girl name with English, Irish, Christian, and Hebrew origins . The name means "sea of bitterness" in Hebrew .
Is Mary a boy or girl name? Mary is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #132 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #27,871. Mary is more commonly used as a girl name.
Mary is currently ranked #132 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Mary has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-EHR-ee, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Mary include Molly, Polly, May, and Mae. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Mary include Maria, Margaret, Margot, Mariana, Marley . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis