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Mary as a Baby Name. Meaning and Origin of Mary

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The baby name Mary is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈmɛəri/ (MAIR-ee); dialectal variants: /ˈmeəri/ or /ˈmɛri/..

Mary is Hebrew in Origin.

Gender: Female
Syllables: 2.0
Origin: Hebrew
Pronunciation: /ˈmɛəri/ (MAIR-ee); dialectal variants: /ˈmeəri/ or /ˈmɛri/.

What is the meaning of the name Mary ?

The baby name Mary is a Female name , 2 syllables long and is pronounced /ˈmɛəri/ (MAIR-ee); dialectal variants: /ˈmeəri/ or /ˈmɛri/..

Mary is Hebrew in Origin.

Mary derives from Hebrew Miryam, rendered as Mariam/Maria in Greek and Latin, then Anglicized as Mary. The meaning is debated: proposals include “beloved,” “wished-for child,” “rebellious,” or “bitter/sea of bitterness.” The medieval title “Star of the Sea” (Latin stella maris) became attached through devotional tradition, though it likely arose from a scribal error in an early gloss.

Veneration of the Virgin Mary propelled the name’s dominance across Christian Europe, and it was the leading girls’ name in the English-speaking world for centuries, peaking from the 16th through mid‑20th century. International forms include Maria (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Slavic), Marie (French, Czech), Mária (Hungarian, Slovak), Máire (Irish), Mairi (Scottish Gaelic), Mair (Welsh), Mariam/Maryam (Arabic, Armenian, Georgian), Miriam (Hebrew), and Mari (Scandinavian/Welsh). Diminutives and variants span Molly, Polly, Mae/May, Mamie, Minnie, Mitzi, Marika, Marita, Marietta, Mariela, Marijke, Marieke, and Masha.

Mary has the following similar or variant Names

Famous people with the name Mary

Mary, Queen of Scots Politician · Born 1542 · Kingdom of Scotland Mary, Queen of Scots, is most famous for ruling Scotland and for her dramatic rivalry with Elizabeth I of England. Also known as Mary Stuart, she became queen when she was just six days old after the death of her father, James V of Scotland, and reigned until she was forced to abdicate in 1567. Mary I Politician · Born 1516 · Kingdom of England Mary I was the Queen of England best known for trying to restore Roman Catholicism after the English Reformation. She ruled England and Ireland from 1553 to 1558 and was also Queen of Spain through her marriage to Philip II. Mary II of England Politician|royal · Born 1662 · Kingdom of England Mary II of England was a queen who ruled jointly with her husband, William III, during the late 17th century. She is most famous for her role in the Glorious Revolution, which led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in England. Her reign marked significant political changes and the strengthening of parliamentary power.
Mary Robinson Politician · Born 1944 · Ireland Mary Robinson is best known for serving as the first female President of Ireland from 1990 to 1997. After her presidency, she became the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, advocating for social justice and equality on a global scale. Mary McAleese Politician · Born 1951 · Ireland Mary McAleese is an Irish politician who served as the eighth President of Ireland from 1997 to 2011. She is known for her work in promoting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Before her presidency, she was a barrister and a journalist. Mary of Burgundy Politician · Born 1457 · France Mary of Burgundy was best known as the ruler of the Burgundian Netherlands from 1477 to 1482 and as one of the last major figures of the Valois-Burgundy dynasty. Nicknamed "the Rich," she inherited vast Burgundian lands and claimed additional territories contested by her cousin, King Louis XI of France.

Celebrity babies named Mary

Name Last Name(s) Mother Mother famous for Fame Level Father Father famous for Fame Level
Mary McCartney Linda McCartney film director ★★★★★ Paul McCartney film director ★★★★★
Mary Crosby Kathryn Crosby singer ★★★★★ Bing Crosby television actor ★★★★★
Mary Williams Jane Fonda television actor ★★★★★
Mary Iglesias Anna Kournikova model ★★★★★ Enrique Iglesias musician ★★★★★
Mary Catherine Bateson Margaret Mead film director ★★★★★ Gregory Bateson film director ★★★★★
Mary MacArthur Helen Hayes television actor ★★★★★ Charles MacArthur film director ★★★★★
Mary A. Martin Steve Martin television actor ★★★★★
Mary Székely Louis C.K. film director ★★★★★
Mary Nighy Bill Nighy television actor ★★★★★

Mary – Popularity by country

Based on birth registration data from national statistics agencies.

Country Gender Year Rank Born of
Ireland Girls 2025 #1 — 874
Germany Girls 2023 #1 — 420
GH Girls 0 #2 4,265 6,973
KH Girls 0 #2 5 148
EC Girls 0 #3 1,003 3,650
GT Girls 0 #3 5,865 7,500
MV Girls 0 #3 77 2,021
MT Girls 0 #4 571 3,773
NG Girls 0 #4 22,671 15,093
MX Girls 0 #5 46,825 17,781
SV Girls 0 #5 15 458
FJ Girls 0 #6 4 583
GH 0 #6 903 5,396
PE Girls 0 #7 18,093 14,861
BO Girls 0 #10 6,398 9,488
HN Girls 0 #10 28 884
CR Girls 0 #11 3,344 11,342
SV 0 #11 1 283
CY Girls 0 #12 269 3,755
GT 0 #14 936 5,948
MT 0 #14 31 1,767
HN 0 #15 8 704
KW Girls 0 #15 2,084 19,177
MV 0 #15 5 644
GR Girls 0 #16 925 6,293
FJ Boys 0 #17 1 603
PA Girls 0 #18 1,802 9,861
PH Girls 0 #18 904 13,098
BW 0 #19 1 960
SG Girls 0 #19 2,726 18,916
QA Girls 0 #20 645 15,378
BN 0 #22 10 2,297
EC 0 #23 121 2,502
PR Girls 0 #23 248 3,171
PH 0 #25 74 5,607
AE Girls 0 #27 1,533 20,968
NG 0 #27 406 5,926
OM Girls 0 #27 930 15,987
DJ Girls 0 #29 1 488
NA 0 #29 5 2,537
BW Girls 0 #32 142 4,216
BI Girls 0 #33 1 726
CY 0 #34 26 1,632
MD 0 #34 1 434
CR 0 #35 157 5,526
TM Girls 0 #35 1 574
CO Girls 0 #36 28,901 16,140
PR 0 #36 20 1,497
UY Girls 0 #36 3,594 6,731
BN Girls 0 #37 76 5,459
PE 0 #37 476 6,350
ID 0 #38 2 2,238
MY Girls 0 #40 4,901 24,821
MO 0 #41 12 2,706
CM 0 #42 14 2,592
AZ 0 #43 1 706
ZA Girls 0 #44 7,644 25,928
GR 0 #45 136 3,911
BO 0 #46 733 6,868
MX 0 #49 1,046 8,339
JP 0 #60 18 4,057
AR Girls 0 #61 3,134 8,289
CN 0 #61 25 3,857
LU 0 #61 6 2,830
OM 0 #61 57 6,215
QA 0 #64 37 7,011
IN 0 #67 5 2,963
MO Girls 0 #68 239 7,056
AF Girls 0 #69 26 2,402
CN Girls 0 #69 626 8,829
RU Girls 0 #69 3,173 11,913
AZ Girls 0 #70 6 1,051
AO 0 #71 7 2,729
BR Girls 0 #71 6,822 12,708
PA 0 #74 58 3,797
AF 0 #75 2 1,883
Spain Girls 0 #75 10,766 5,561
CL Girls 0 #76 6,342 14,098
JM 0 #76 12 3,714
KW 0 #77 40 5,216
BG 0 #78 5 1,799
IT Girls 0 #78 39,919 9,415
MD Girls 0 #78 13 865
MV Boys 0 #79 1 3,375
SI 0 #79 2 1,612
ID Girls 0 #81 18 3,319
SA Girls 0 #81 3,042 25,931
TW 0 #83 18 4,523
RS 0 #84 1 923
EG Girls 0 #85 11,935 14,742
GE Girls 0 #88 17 1,564
KZ 0 #88 7 1,452
HK Girls 0 #90 1,889 16,104
NA Girls 0 #94 150 7,146
CM Girls 0 #95 1,106 11,671
SD 0 #97 6 2,130
RU 0 #99 121 3,641
AE 0 #100 78 10,220
CO 0 #102 1,164 7,768
AO Girls 0 #103 117 4,575
MY 0 #106 261 12,352
IQ 0 #109 21 3,533
HU 0 #114 2 1,675
IQ Girls 0 #115 744 11,303
MU 0 #118 19 3,613
JO 0 #120 18 2,158
EG 0 #122 695 6,387
Norway Girls 2025 #123 4 453
UY 0 #123 55 2,477
SG 0 #125 158 11,010
JP Girls 0 #127 134 6,592
SY 0 #127 2,177 11,684
EE Girls 0 #128 11 1,888
CY Boys 0 #129 3 3,473
United States Girls 2024 #130 2,196 8,487
JO Girls 0 #130 400 7,570
Switzerland Girls 2024 #131 5 1,786
ID Boys 0 #133 3 4,130
IR Girls 0 #134 844 8,334
RS Girls 0 #134 4 1,651
Spain 0 #135 569 2,326
IT 0 #136 2,270 4,183
AR 0 #138 49 2,915
BR 0 #138 257 5,969
BN Boys 0 #139 1 6,332
JM Girls 0 #140 140 7,507
SD Girls 0 #144 293 7,678
LU Girls 0 #145 41 4,850
MU Girls 0 #145 232 8,539
PT Girls 0 #148 683 7,952
NL Girls 0 #150 2,573 5,933
BW Boys 0 #151 4 4,685
RS Boys 0 #154 1 2,277
SI Girls 0 #156 19 2,769
TW Girls 0 #164 118 8,139
HR 0 #170 10 2,081
Austria 0 #171 43 850
MT Boys 0 #171 9 4,064
Canada Girls 2024 #172 116 2,795
Sweden Girls 2022 #172 8 1,568
PS Girls 0 #173 580 10,981
HU Boys 0 #174 1 3,954
PS 0 #174 45 5,692
CZ 0 #175 11 3,154
PR Boys 0 #175 4 2,508
BH 0 #177 506 17,937
KZ Girls 0 #179 188 5,862
CL 0 #180 316 6,867
SA 0 #183 113 10,560
DK 0 #186 18 5,198
LB 0 #188 846 13,263
Austria Girls 0 #190 345 1,885
PL 0 #190 23 2,600
PT 0 #191 56 4,161
HU Girls 0 #196 28 3,308
LT Girls 0 #196 5 1,904
ZA 0 #196 263 14,421
IR 0 #198 32 4,221
BG Girls 0 #202 22 3,559
HK 0 #205 156 8,483
IL Girls 0 #206 691 11,648
Germany Girls 0 #208 1,621 4,949
AL Girls 0 #210 13 4,141
MO Boys 0 #213 11 5,842
DK Girls 0 #215 106 7,429
GH Boys 0 #216 143 8,138
BG Boys 0 #220 1 3,850
LU Boys 0 #220 1 4,970
PL Girls 0 #221 160 5,096
EC Boys 0 #224 16 3,322
HR Girls 0 #227 63 3,687
IL 0 #230 45 6,291
BD 0 #236 6 5,992
CZ Girls 0 #241 103 5,378
NL 0 #246 152 2,481
AO Boys 0 #247 3 5,568
TW Boys 0 #251 6 7,111
NA Boys 0 #252 2 6,830
YE 0 #252 135 8,639
GR Boys 0 #257 11 6,912
HR Boys 0 #258 2 3,997
LY 0 #269 314 12,703
Germany 0 #272 173 2,542
IN Girls 0 #272 461 13,121
Finland Girls 0 #274 125 1,368
BD Girls 0 #277 110 8,413
JM Boys 0 #288 6 6,876
CZ Boys 0 #293 12 6,530
KZ Boys 0 #294 3 6,578
JP Boys 0 #302 2 7,909
AL Boys 0 #303 1 5,122
CN Boys 0 #328 4 9,639
DK Boys 0 #332 1 7,401
PL Boys 0 #336 5 6,459
MA 0 #344 2,023 20,986
GT Boys 0 #365 110 7,625
JO Boys 0 #365 13 7,057
MU Boys 0 #367 3 8,477
PH Boys 0 #370 14 11,440
UY Boys 0 #371 29 5,922
PT Boys 0 #375 7 7,951
France Girls 2021 #377 29 3,185
France Boys 2002 #390 4 2,423
SD Boys 0 #422 24 10,523
AR Boys 0 #430 38 7,628
HK Boys 0 #446 82 12,905
DZ 0 #451 1,159 20,130
RU Boys 0 #452 54 12,621
CR Boys 0 #456 32 10,188
Finland Girls 2026 #456 404 3,895
PA Boys 0 #463 19 9,305
TN 0 #473 445 13,765
CM Boys 0 #494 57 12,054
BO Boys 0 #508 85 9,244
IR Boys 0 #513 40 10,162
PS Boys 0 #517 32 10,655
EG Boys 0 #524 420 15,035
MX Boys 0 #551 546 16,355
NG Boys 0 #559 499 16,906
IL Boys 0 #584 24 10,983
BD Boys 0 #598 8 10,045
CL Boys 0 #599 67 13,390
IQ Boys 0 #607 61 13,071
BR Boys 0 #627 126 12,213
CO Boys 0 #632 314 15,656
KW Boys 0 #643 127 18,755
SG Boys 0 #646 52 17,960
PE Boys 0 #649 239 14,506
QA Boys 0 #676 32 18,093
Spain Boys 0 #803 128 5,610
OM Boys 0 #827 55 17,948
United States Boys 2020 #894 5 7,187
NL Boys 0 #896 56 5,873
Germany Boys 0 #929 24 5,697
TR 0 #936 285 19,440
IT Boys 0 #945 551 10,046
ZA Boys 0 #962 218 25,619
IN Boys 0 #980 22 16,750
AE Boys 0 #1,012 81 22,615
MY Boys 0 #1,047 65 25,439
SA Boys 0 #1,374 241 28,008

Mary is popular in 97 countries — most recent births per country:

France
Norway
Ireland
Scotland, United Kingdom
Canada

Did we miss something about this name? Let us know!

People also ask about Mary

Mary is predominantly a girl's name.
Mary is a 2 syllable name, pronounced /ˈmɛəri/ (MAIR-ee); dialectal variants: /ˈmeəri/ or /ˈmɛri/..
Common nicknames and spelling variations include Maria, Marie, Maryam, Miriam, Mariya and Marija.
Across languages, Mary has these equivalents: Maria (Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German), Marie (French), Maryam (Arabic, Persian), Miriam (Hebrew), Máire (Irish), and 4 more.
Yes, very popular — Mary ranked #1 in Ireland in 2025, and appears in official birth registries across 12 countries.
Mary ranks highest in Ireland (#1 in 2025).
Mary's popularity is holding steady. It moved from #1 in 2015 to #1 in 2025 in Ireland.
Yes — 9 notable people named Mary are in our database, including Mary, Queen of Scots (Politician), Mary I (Politician), Mary II of England (Politician|royal).
Yes — at least 9 celebrity couples have chosen Mary for their child, including Linda McCartney and Paul McCartney.