"of the sea"
Origin: Latin
Language: English
Maris
Pronunciation: [ m-EHR-ihs ]
Girl Name
#3,455 Most Popular
Hidden Gem
2 Syllables
An elegant Latin sea name with centuries of poetic heritage
English
Latin
Dutch
Elegant
Literary
Unique
Sophisticated
Earthy
Meaning & Origin
"star of the sea"
Origin: Latin
Language: Latin
The Story of Maris
Maris comes from the Latin stella maris meaning star of the sea, a title given to the Virgin Mary in the Middle Ages. The Latin word maris is the genitive form of mare meaning sea. As a standalone given name, Maris is an elegant, compressed form that suggests the sea and its associations — depth, mystery, and beauty. It also functions as a variant of Mary or Mara.
Maris gained some cultural exposure in the United States through the character Maris Crane on the TV series Frasier (1993-2004), though she was famously never shown on screen. The name has been rising in the UK and US as parents seek elegant, unusual alternatives to Mary or Marina.
Stella Maris (Star of the Sea) is one of the most ancient and beautiful titles of the Virgin Mary in Catholic tradition, used in hymns since the 9th century. Baseball fans may recognize the surname Maris from Roger Maris, who broke Babe Ruth's home run record in 1961.
Fun Facts
- Stella Maris (Star of the Sea) is one of the oldest Marian hymns, dating to the 9th century
- Maris Crane on Frasier was one of TV's most memorable unseen characters — mentioned in every episode but never appearing
- Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth's 60-home run record in 1961
Maris in Other Languages
Dutch
Maris
Latin
Maris
French
Maris
Italian
Maris
Spanish
Maris
Famous People Named Maris
M
Maris Liepa
Other
1936
Latvian ballet dancer and choreographer, one of the greatest male ballet dancers of the Soviet era
R
Roger Maris
Athlete
1934
American baseball player who broke Babe Ruth's single-season home run record with 61 in 1961
M
Maris Crane Fictional
Other
The famously unseen character on Frasier (1993-2004), Niles Crane's wife, referenced in every episode but never shown
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Girl
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #3,455
- Total SSA Count
- 45
- Cultural Origins
- English Latin Dutch
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Mari
Pairs Well With
Maris Jane
Maris Louise
Maris Claire
Maris Elise
Maris June
Maris Wren
Maris Blue
Sibling Names
Also a Boy Name
Maris is also used as a boy name, ranked #23387.
View Maris as a boy name →Similar Names
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
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Frequently Asked Questions About Maris
What does the name Maris mean?
"of the sea" (from Latin). "star of the sea" (from Latin). Maris comes from the Latin stella maris meaning star of the sea, a title given to the Virgin Mary in the Middle Ages. The Latin word maris is the genitive form of mare meaning sea. As a standalone given name, Maris is an elegant, compressed form that suggests the sea and its associations — depth, mystery, and beauty. It also functions as a variant of Mary or Mara.
What is the origin of the name Maris?
Maris has Latin, English, and Dutch origins. In Latin, it means "of the sea". In Latin, it means "star of the sea".
Is Maris a boy or girl name?
Maris is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it is ranked #3455. As a boy name, it is ranked #23387. Maris is more commonly used as a girl name.
How do you pronounce Maris?
Maris is pronounced m-EHR-ihs.
How popular is the name Maris?
Maris is currently ranked #3455 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Maris?
Common nicknames for Maris include Mari.
What are good middle names for Maris?
Popular middle name pairings include Maris Jane, Maris Louise, Maris Claire, Maris Elise, Maris June, Maris Wren, and Maris Blue.
What are good sibling names for Maris?
Names that pair well with Maris as siblings include Iris, Phoebe, Felix, Caspian, Coral, and Seren.
How many syllables does Maris have?
Maris has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Maris a common or rare name?
Maris is an uncommon name, ranked #3455 in the US. Its rarity gives it a distinctive, memorable quality.
About the Name Maris
Maris is a girl name with English, Latin, and Dutch origins . The name means "of the sea" in Latin .
Is Maris a boy or girl name? Maris is used as both a girl and boy name. As a girl name, it ranks #3,455 in popularity. As a boy name, it ranks #23,387. Maris is more commonly used as a girl name.
Maris is currently ranked #3,455 in popularity for girl names in the United States.
The name Maris has 2 syllables and is pronounced m-EHR-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Maris include Mari. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Maris include Maria, Mariana, Mariah, Mariam, Marie . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.