Sophia Girl
soh-FEE-uh
“wisdom” · Greek
#5
Mary
GirlHebrew, English· “uncertain; often said bitter or beloved”
- Meaning
- uncertain; often said bitter or beloved (origin disputed)
- Origin
- Hebrew, English
- Pronunciation
- MEH-ree
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #125
- US babies 2025
- 2,230
- Best rank
- #1 (1880)
- Peak year
- 1921
Meaning and origin of Mary
Mary is often said to mean “uncertain; often said bitter or beloved”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Hebrew and English roots.
Mary is the English form of the Hebrew Miryam, a name whose meaning is uncertain. Proposed meanings include "bitter", "rebellious", "wished-for child" and, through a possible Egyptian root, "beloved", but none is agreed. Miriam is the sister of Moses in the Hebrew Bible, and Mary is the mother of Jesus in the New Testament, whose veneration made the name one of the most widespread in the Christian world. Mary Queen of Scots and Queen Mary I and Queen Mary II of England are royal bearers. Mary is simple, gentle and timeless. Molly, Polly, Mae and Mamie all began as nicknames for it.
Other spellings with the same sound: Merry, Merrie.
Famous parents who chose Mary: Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova (2020). More celebrity baby names
Popularity over time
Mary has been given to babies in the United States since at least 1880, the first year of Social Security records. It has ranked in the top 1,000 in 146 different years. Its best national rank was #1 in 1880, and the most babies received it in 1921, when 73,984 were named Mary. In 2025, 2,230 babies were named Mary, and it ranked #125 nationally. Its use has been fairly steady over the past decade.
Its national rank moved from #1 in 1920, #2 in 1950, #25 in 1980, #46 in 2000, #108 in 2010, and #125 in 2025. Of the 4,141,481 US girls named Mary since records began, 17% were born in the 1920s, its biggest decade. The 1940s come next, with 640,080 babies. Since 2010, 38,678 more have been named Mary.
Other girls' names that peaked around the same time include Margaret and Ruth.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Mary ranked highest in Alabama, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | #6 | 155 |
| Mississippi | #6 | 71 |
| Arkansas | #33 | 49 |
| Louisiana | #48 | 62 |
| Georgia | #53 | 133 |
Gender, sound and spelling
In the US it is used almost only for girls.
Mary is usually pronounced MEH-ree, with two syllables. It has four letters, starts with M and ends in “-ry”. Names that sound the same but are spelled differently include Merry and Merrie.
Middle names for Mary
A few middle names that flow with Mary: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Mary
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Lists that include Mary
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Mary mean?
Mary is often said to mean “uncertain; often said bitter or beloved”; the origin is uncertain, though it is usually linked to Hebrew and English roots.
What is the origin of the name Mary?
Mary has Hebrew and English roots. Mary is the English form of the Hebrew Miryam, a name whose meaning is uncertain.
Is Mary a popular name?
Yes. Mary ranked #125 in the US in 2025, which makes it in the top 1,000.
Is Mary a boy or girl name?
Mary is mainly a girl's name. In the US it is used almost only for girls.
How do you pronounce Mary?
Mary is usually pronounced MEH-ree. 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