Mary: Meaning, origin and popularity
Pronounced MAIR-ee · 2 syllables
Mary means “beloved; star of the sea”, from Hebrew.
From Middle English Marie, from Old French Marie, from Latin Maria, from Ancient Greek (Maria), (Mariam), from post-Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic (Maryam), from Biblical Hebrew (Miryam), of uncertain meaning. (See the Hebrew entry for more.) Doublet of Miriam, Marie, Maria, and Mariah.
- Meaning
- beloved; star of the sea
- Origin
- Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- MAIR-ee
- US rank (2025)
- #125
- US babies a year
- about 2,169 (2021–2025)
- Peak
- around 1890
- Style
- Vintage, Classic, Biblical
- Nicknames
- Mamie, Mae, Molly, Polly
How popular is Mary?
Mary was the #125 name in the US in 2025, given to 2,230 babies. Its use has been fairly steady over the last decade. It peaked around 1890.
Most popular in Alabama (#6), Mississippi (#6).
Around the world
| Country | Rank |
|---|---|
| United States | #125 |
| England & Wales | #291 |
| Scotland | #399 |
| Northern Ireland | #129 |
| Ireland | #114 |
| France | #889 |
| Norway | #490 |
| Canada | #325 |
| Australia | #288 |
How old are people named Mary?
Half of US adults named Mary are older than 69; most are between 31 and 88. (Estimated from US births by year and life tables.)
Sibling names for Mary
Names that real brothers and sisters of people named Mary have, from family records on Wikidata, most common first.
Names like Mary
Chosen by the same families or with a similar style and era.
On these lists
Questions about Mary
What does the name Mary mean?
Mary means “beloved; star of the sea”. It comes from Hebrew.
How do you pronounce Mary?
Mary is pronounced MAIR-ee.
How popular is the name Mary?
Mary was the #125 name in the US in 2025, given to 2,230 babies. Its use has been fairly steady over the last decade. It peaked around 1890.
How old are people named Mary?
Half of US adults named Mary are older than 69. Most are between 31 and 88.