Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Mariya
GirlRussian, Hebrew· “form of Maria”
- Meaning
- form of Maria
- Origin
- Russian, Hebrew
- Pronunciation
- mah-REE-yuh
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #3,879
- US babies 2025
- 38
- Best rank
- #1,589 (2009)
- Peak year
- 2009
Meaning and origin of Mariya
Mariya is a Russian and Hebrew name that means “form of Maria”.
Mariya is the Russian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian form of Maria, the name of the mother of Jesus. It goes back through Latin and Greek to the Hebrew Miriam, whose meaning is uncertain; suggestions include "bitter," "beloved" and "sea of sorrow." The y spelling reflects transliteration from Cyrillic. Mariya is also used in Arabic and South Asian communities as a form of Maryam. It is said mah-REE-yuh. Masha is the traditional Russian pet form, and Mari works in English.
Popularity over time
Mariya first appears in US Social Security records in 1970. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,589 in 2009, the same year it reached its highest count of 142 babies. In 2025, 38 babies were named Mariya, and it ranked #3,879 nationally. That is 62% fewer than ten years earlier, so it is becoming less common.
Its national rank moved from #3,179 in 1980, #2,475 in 2000, #1,921 in 2010, and #3,879 in 2025. Of the 2,639 US girls named Mariya since records began, 34% were born in the 2000s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 813 babies. Since 2010, 1,047 more have been named Mariya.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Jiya, Caylin, Taelyn, Emmaleigh, and Tanvi.
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Mariya is usually pronounced mah-REE-yuh, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with M and ends in “-ya”.
Middle names for Mariya
A few middle names that flow with Mariya: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mariya
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Lists that include Mariya
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mariya mean?
Mariya is a Russian and Hebrew name that means “form of Maria”.
What is the origin of the name Mariya?
Mariya has Russian and Hebrew roots. Mariya is the Russian, Ukrainian and Bulgarian form of Maria, the name of the mother of Jesus.
Is Mariya a popular name?
Not especially. Mariya ranked #3,879 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Mariya a boy or girl name?
Mariya is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Mariya?
Mariya is usually pronounced mah-REE-yuh. 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