Mary Name Origin
Mary comes from the Hebrew name Miriam. It started in ancient Israel. The name was popular because of the Bible, where Mary is the mother of Jesus.
The name spread to Greek and Latin languages as Maria. Over time, it became Mary in English. It stayed popular because of its religious importance.
People liked the sound and meaning, which is often thought to mean "beloved" or "sea of bitterness." This made Mary a common name in many countries.
- Type: First Name
- Gender: Female
- Pronunciation: MAIR-ee
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Mary Meaning
Mary is a very old and popular name. It comes from the Hebrew name "Miryam." People have used it for thousands of years.
The name was brought into English through Latin and Greek versions. It became common because of its connection to important religious figures, like the mother of Jesus.
Mary often means "beloved" or "wished-for child." Some also say it means "sea of bitterness" or "rebellious," but the exact meaning is uncertain.
Many cultures see Mary as a symbol of purity, kindness, and strength. It’s a name full of history and respect.
History
Mary is a very old name that goes back thousands of years. It comes from ancient Hebrew, where it was originally spelled "Miryam." People started using it a long time ago in the Middle East.
Over time, the name changed as it moved to different languages. In Greek, it became "Maria," and in Latin, it stayed close to "Maria." This helped it spread across Europe.
Mary became very popular because of religious stories, especially in Christianity. Many people named their daughters Mary to honor important figures like the Virgin Mary.
In the Middle Ages, Mary was one of the most common names in Europe. It stayed popular in countries like England, Spain, Italy, and France.
Even today, Mary is still used a lot around the world. It has many variations, like Marie, Maria, and Miriam, showing how it changed with different cultures.
Famous People
Mary Shelley wrote the famous book "Frankenstein." She was an English writer and is known for creating one of the first science fiction stories.
Mary Queen of Scots was a famous queen in Scotland. She lived in the 1500s and had a very dramatic life full of power struggles.
Mary Cassatt was an American artist. She painted beautiful pictures, especially of mothers and children, and was part of the Impressionist movement.
Mary J. Blige is a singer and actress. She is known for her powerful voice and has won many awards for her music in R&B and soul.
Mary McLeod Bethune was an educator and civil rights leader. She worked hard to improve education for African American children in the United States.
Name Trends
This chart shows how many babies were given the name Mary each year, based on data from the U.S. Government's Social Security Administration (SSA). It's a fun way to see how the name's popularity has changed over time!
The blue line shows how many boys were named Mary, while the pink line shows how many girls were given the same name.
If the lines go up, that means more babies got the name that year. If they go down, the name was used less. You can spot trends, like when the name became really popular or started to fade.