GirlClassic

Mary

/MAIR-ee/

Beloved, wished-for child, of the sea

What does Mary mean?

Mary — mother of Jesus — is one of the most-given girls' names in human history. Foundational, sacred + warm.

Origin

Hebrew
Latin

Religious / cultural tradition

Christian, Muslim

Variations

Mary · Maria · Mariam

Nicknames

Mae · Polly

Sibling name ideas

Boys

John
Joseph
James

Girls

Catherine
Anne
Margaret

More girl names like Mary

AnikaGrace, sweet-faced, brilliance ZaraBlooming flower, princess, radiance MariamBeloved, wished-for child, of the sea MayaIllusion, water, my beloved, dream AvaLife, bird, voice MiaMine, beloved, of the sea

Meanings + cultural notes are educational summaries reflecting common scholarly + linguistic interpretations. Spellings, meanings + pronunciations can vary by region + family tradition.