Mary
Gender: Girl
Meaning: Beloved; wished-for child; sea of bitterness
Origin: Hebrew — from Miriam (מִרְיָם), possibly from meri (beloved) or mar (bitter) + yam (sea)
Popularity: Ranked #125 in 2025 with 2,230 babies born.
History: Mary is the most influential female name in Western history. As the mother of Jesus in Christian tradition, it has been borne by more women across more centuries than virtually any other name. It was the #1 girls' name in the United States for every single year from 1880 until 1946 — a 66-year reign unmatched by any name in American naming history. Queens Mary I and Mary II, Mary Queen of Scots, Mary Shelley, and the Virgin Mary herself form an incomparable legacy. Its simplicity is its eternal strength.
Famous people named Mary: Mary Shelley (author), Mary Poppins (fictional character)
Name length: 4 letters
How common is Mary? About 1 in 1,493 babies born in 2025 were named Mary, or roughly 6.1 per day in the United States.
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Frequently asked about Mary
What does the name Mary mean?
Mary means “Beloved; wished-for child; sea of bitterness” from Hebrew — from Miriam (מִרְיָם), possibly from meri (beloved) or mar (bitter) + yam (sea) roots.
What is the origin of the name Mary?
Mary has Hebrew — from Miriam (מִרְיָם), possibly from meri (beloved) or mar (bitter) + yam (sea) origin. The traditional meaning is “Beloved; wished-for child; sea of bitterness”.
How popular is Mary?
Mary ranked #125 in 2025 — given to 2,230 babies that year.
When was Mary most popular?
Mary peaked in 1921 with 73,984 babies registered that year.
Is Mary a boy or girl name?
Mary is predominantly a girls' name — over 90% of Marys in registered births are female.
How long has Mary been recorded?
Mary appears in birth records across 146 years — from 1880 through 2025.