Names › Girls' names › M › Mary
Mary
Meaning: uncertain; perhaps 'beloved' or 'bitter' · Origin: Hebrew · Gender: usually a girl's name
Origin & history
The English form of Maria (Hebrew Miryam), the mother of Jesus. Mary was the most common girls' name in the US for much of the 20th century.
Famous people named Mary
- Mary Shelley (author)
- Mary Oliver (poet)
- Mary Seacole (nurse)
Nicknames
Molly, Polly, Mae, Mamie
Variants & related names
Maria, Marie, Mair, Máire
Mary name art
A free preview of a printable “Mary” poster with its meaning — great for a nursery, a birthday or a gift.
Instant download, no subscription. Not printed or shipped — you get a high-resolution PNG to print at home or at a print shop.
FAQ
What does the name Mary mean?
Mary means “uncertain; perhaps 'beloved' or 'bitter'”. It comes from Hebrew.
Is Mary a popular name?
Mary is a classic girls' name that has been used for generations in the English-speaking world. For its current rank, see the US Social Security Administration or UK Office for National Statistics baby-name lists.
What are nicknames for Mary?
Molly, Polly, Mae, Mamie.
What are other forms of Mary?
Maria, Marie, Mair, Máire.
Similar names
Eliza · Elliana · Elizabeth · Abigail · Naomi · Delilah
More: names starting with M · all girls' names
Sources: standard name etymology references (e.g. Behind the Name, Oxford Dictionary of First Names); popularity from US SSA and UK ONS baby-name data. Meanings of old names are often debated — where scholars disagree we say so.