The nameMary
Mary is a girl's name of Hebrew origin, the name of the mother of Jesus. It was the most popular girls' name in the United States from 1880 to 1961, except for six years.
- Girl's name
- Hebrew
- Feast day
Meaning
Mary comes from the Hebrew Miryam, through the Greek Mariam and the Latin Maria. Its meaning is discussed: "beloved", "bitter" or an Egyptian root meaning "loved" have been suggested.
Origin
Hebrew. Mary, mother of Jesus, is honoured above all saints in Christian tradition. Miriam, sister of Moses, bore the same name.
History
Mary was the most common girls' name in the English-speaking world for centuries. In the United States it ranked first every year from 1880 to 1961, except from 1947 to 1952. Queen Mary I, Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Mary, wife of George V, bore it. Molly, Polly, May and Mae come from it.
Did you know?
- Mary Shelley began Frankenstein at 18, during a ghost story contest with Lord Byron and Percy Shelley.
- Mary Anning was about 12 when she and her brother found the first ichthyosaur skeleton to be recognised, at Lyme Regis.
Famous people named Mary
- Mary, mother of Jesus
- Mary, Queen of Scots
- Mary Shelley, writer
- Mary Seacole, nurse
Popularity of the name Mary
Mary in the United States
Mary was most popular in the United States in the 1920s, with 704,187 births over the decade, 17% of all recorded babies named Mary. Half of all babies named Mary in the United States were born before 1938, although it is popular again today. Over the last five years on record, its popularity has held steady at around 2,145 births a year.
Mary in the United Kingdom
Mary was most popular in the United Kingdom in the 2000s, with 3,456 births over the decade, 43% of all recorded babies named Mary. Half of all babies named Mary in the United Kingdom were born before 2007, so it is mostly a name of today's children and teenagers. Over the last five years on record, it has been falling: 162 births a year on average, against 203 in the five years before.
Mary in Ireland
Mary in France
Mary in Norway
Variants and related names
Sibling names for Mary
Names from the same generation as Mary, whose popularity in the United States has followed a similar path.
How many people are named Mary? See the counter → · What would your name be in 1950? · Name origin quiz
Compare Mary with another name
Meaning, origin and popularity of Mary side by side with the name of your choice.
Mary in our baby name lists
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mary mean?
Mary comes from the Hebrew Miryam, through the Greek Mariam and the Latin Maria. Its meaning is discussed: "beloved", "bitter" or an Egyptian root meaning "loved" have been suggested.
What is the origin of the name Mary?
Hebrew. Mary, mother of Jesus, is honoured above all saints in Christian tradition. Miriam, sister of Moses, bore the same name.
Is Mary a girl's or a boy's name?
Mary is a girl's name.
How popular is the name Mary?
In 2024, Mary was the 132nd most popular name for baby girls in the United States, with 2,196 births.
What are the variants of the name Mary?
Variants and related names of Mary include Mado, Mae, Maëwenn, Mai, Malia, Marie, Mariétou and Mariya.
What are good sibling names for Mary?
Names from the same generation, with a similar popularity in the United States: Anna, Sara, Ana and Madeline for a sister, Jesse, Jeremy, Nathaniel and Jesus for a brother.
Who are famous people named Mary?
Mary, mother of Jesus; Mary, Queen of Scots; Mary Shelley, writer; Mary Seacole, nurse.