The nameMaria
Maria is a girl's name of Hebrew origin, the Latin form of Mary. It is one of the most widely used names in the world.
- Girl's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Maria comes from the Hebrew Miryam, through the Greek Mariam. Its meaning is discussed: "beloved", "bitter" or an Egyptian root meaning "loved" have all been suggested.
Origin
Hebrew, through Greek and Latin. Maria is the name of the Virgin Mary in Latin and in most European languages.
History
Maria is a classic in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Poland and Latin America. In the United States it was in the top 40 for decades. Maria Callas, Maria Montessori and Maria von Trapp of The Sound of Music are famous bearers.
Did you know?
- Maria Montessori opened her first Casa dei Bambini in Rome in 1907, the start of the method named after her.
- The real Maria von Trapp, who inspired The Sound of Music, fled Austria with her family in 1938.
Famous people named Maria
- Maria Callas, soprano
- Maria Montessori, educator
- Maria Sharapova, tennis player
- Maria von Trapp, singer
Popularity of the name Maria
Maria in the United States
Maria was most popular in the United States in the 1960s, with 89,313 births over the decade, 16% of all recorded babies named Maria. Its rise began around 1914, and it peaked in 1964. Half of all babies named Maria in the United States were born before 1973, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 2,796 births a year.
Maria in the United Kingdom
Maria was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2010s, with 8,100 births over the decade, 42% of all recorded babies named Maria. Half of all babies named Maria in the United Kingdom were born before 2013, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 646 births a year on average, against 882 in the five years before.
Maria in Ireland
Maria in France
Maria in Belgium
Maria in Switzerland
Maria in Austria
Maria in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Maria
Names from the same generation as Maria, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Maria? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Maria with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Maria side by side with the name of your choice.
Maria in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maria mean?
Maria comes from the Hebrew Miryam, through the Greek Mariam. Its meaning is discussed: "beloved", "bitter" or an Egyptian root meaning "loved" have all been suggested.
What is the origin of the name Maria?
Hebrew, through Greek and Latin. Maria is the name of the Virgin Mary in Latin and in most European languages.
Is Maria a girl's or a boy's name?
Maria is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Maria?
In 2024, Maria was the 74th most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 3,105 births.
What are the variants of the name Maria?
Variants and related names of Maria include Maïka, Maite, Malena, Malia, Mari, Marie, Marika and Marisa.
What are good sibling names for Maria?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Anna, Sara, Madeline and Ana for a sister, José, Jesse, Jordan and Juan for a brother.
Who are famous people named Maria?
Maria Callas, soprano; Maria Montessori, educator; Maria Sharapova, tennis player; Maria von Trapp, singer.