Maris

GirlLatin· “of the sea”

Meaning
of the sea
Origin
Latin
Pronunciation
MAIR-is
Syllables
2
US rank 2025
#3,280
US babies 2025
48
Best rank
#1,172 (1939)
Peak year
2018

Meaning and origin of Maris

Maris is a Latin name that is usually said to mean “of the sea”.

Maris comes from Latin maris, "of the sea," most familiar in the phrase Stella Maris, "star of the sea," a title of the Virgin Mary. It is also used as a variant of Marisa and Mary. As a given name it is rare and elegant. It is said MAIR-is, with the stress on the first syllable. Related names include Marisa, Marina and Mary. Fans of the sitcom Frasier may know Maris as the unseen wife of Niles Crane. The ocean connection makes it appealing to families who love the sea.

Popularity over time

020406080192019401960198020002020Peak 2018: 63
US girlsUS boys

Maris first appears in US Social Security records in 1912. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,172 in 1939, and the most babies received it in 2018, when 63 were named Maris. In 2025, 48 babies were named Maris, and it ranked #3,280 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.

Its national rank moved from #3,260 in 1920, #2,991 in 1950, #4,440 in 1980, #3,195 in 2000, #3,454 in 2010, and #3,280 in 2025. Of the 2,671 US girls named Maris since records began, 20% were born in the 2010s, its biggest decade. The 2000s come next, with 472 babies.

Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Reema, Evelynne, Jemima, Acadia, and Alaa.

Where it is most popular (2025)

In 2025, Maris ranked highest in Texas.

StateRank thereBabies
Texas#36315

Gender, sound and spelling

About 98% of US babies named Maris over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.

Maris is usually pronounced MAIR-is, with two syllables. It has five letters, starts with M and ends in “-is”.

Middle names for Maris

A few middle names that flow with Maris: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.

Emma Girl
EH-muh
“whole, universal” · Germanic
#3
Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Grace Girl
GRAYS
“grace” · English
#38
Claire Girl
KLAIR
“clear, bright” · French
#68
Olivia Girl
oh-LIH-vee-uh
“olive” · Latin
#1
Lily Girl
LIH-lee
“lily flower” · English
#18

Sibling names for Maris

Similar names

Marin Girl
MAIR-in
“of the sea” · Latin
#2,043
Maren Girl
MAIR-uhn
“of the sea (from Marina)” · Scandinavian
#472
Aris Unisex
AIR-is
“best” · Greek
#1,333
Charis Girl
KEH-rihs
“grace” · Greek
#3,137
Aeris Girl
EHR-ihs
“modern name, possibly from Latin "air"” · American (modern coinage)
#2,692
Iris Girl
EYE-ris
“rainbow” · Greek
#61
Ellis Unisex
EH-lihs
“from Elias; my God is Yahweh” · English
#243
Justice Unisex
JUHS-tihs
“justice, fairness” · English
#1,363
Paris Girl
PEHR-ihs
“from the French city; Trojan prince” · French
#592
Cadence Girl
KAY-duhns
“rhythm, flow” · English
#1,022
Kaydence Girl
KAY-duhns
“rhythm” · American (modern coinage)
#1,292
Kara Girl
KEHR-uh
“dear, beloved” · Latin
#1,075

Lists that include Maris

Frequently asked questions

What does the name Maris mean?

Maris is a Latin name that is usually said to mean “of the sea”.

What is the origin of the name Maris?

Maris has Latin roots. Maris comes from Latin maris, "of the sea," most familiar in the phrase Stella Maris, "star of the sea," a title of the Virgin Mary.

Is Maris a popular name?

Not especially. Maris ranked #3,280 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.

Is Maris a boy or girl name?

Maris is mainly a girl's name. About 98% of US babies named Maris over the last 20 years were girls, with a small share of boys.

How do you pronounce Maris?

Maris is usually pronounced MAIR-is. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.

Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings