Mary: Name Meaning, Origin, & Popularity

By Tara Gunn

Updated August 7, 2024

Table of contents

Girl name origins & meanings

What does Mary mean and stand for?

Meaning:

Hebrew: Beloved; wished-for child; bitter
Latin: Star of the sea; beautiful

Gender: Female

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name Mary is pronounced MAIR-ee

The name Mary has been derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "beloved" or "wished-for child." It also carries the Latin meaning "star of the sea." It is also associated with the Hebrew names Maryam/Mariam, and though the origins are not entirely clear, it is believed the meaning of Maryam is "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar, meaning "drop" and yam, meaning "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah, meaning "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Girl name variations

How Popular Is The Name Mary

Family name origins & meanings

French: habitational name from places in Saône-et-Loire, Seine-et-Marne, and Nièvre, named in Latin as Mariacum "estate of Marius."

Famous people with this first name

Mary McConnell

Mary Steenburgen

Famous people who gave their babies this name

Paul McCartney

Mary in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

Mary Lennox from The Secret Garden - A young, orphaned girl who discovers a hidden, neglected garden and works to bring it back to life.
Mary Poppins from Mary Poppins - A magical and whimsical nanny who comes to care for the Banks children in London.
Mary Jane Watson from Spider-Man - Peter Parker’s love interest and a significant character in the Spider-Man comic book series.
Mary Crawley from Downton Abbey - The eldest daughter of the Crawley family, known for her strong will and complex emotional depth.
Bloody Mary from folklore - A supernatural character said to appear in a mirror when her name is chanted multiple times.

Popularity of the Name Mary

According to Social Security Administration data, the name Mary has seen a significant decline in popularity over the years. Once a perennial favorite, Mary consistently ranked as one of the top names for girls throughout the early and mid-20th century. However, in recent years, it has dropped out of the top 100 names in the United States.

Mary was a favorite New Testament name for girls, and was most popular among Christian families, thanks to the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. There are four other notable Marys in the Bible: Mary Magdalene, Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and Mary the mother of Mark. Originally seen as too sacred to use, Mary eventually gained momentum as a royal name across Europe in the 16th century, including Mary I who has the nickname Bloody Mary.

Historical figures with the name include Mary, Queen of Scots, and Mary Wollstonecraft, an influential writer and advocate for women's rights. In literature and media, the name Mary has been immortalized by characters such as Mary Lennox in The Secret Garden and Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins. Notable actresses like Mary Pickford, known as "America's Sweetheart," and contemporary stars such as Mary Elizabeth Winstead have also contributed to the name's enduring legacy. Other notable namesakes include actress Mary Sean Young, actress Mary Tyler Moore, novelist Mary Noel Streatfeild, actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead, singer Mary J. Blige, novelist Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, actress Mary Stuart Masterson, actress Mary Frances Crosby, actress and fashion designer Mary Kate Olsen, author Mary Pope Osborne, and many others. Not to mention Meryl Streep, Debbie Reynolds, and Lily Tomlin were all born as Marys!