Maria
Maria is a girls' name of Hebrew origin meaning “beloved, wished-for child, sea of bitterness.” It ranked #87 in the United States in 2025. The Latin and Romance language form of Miriam/Mary, one of the most globally used given names throughout history.
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how do you pronounce Maria?
mah-REE-uh
where does the name Maria come from?
From the Latin Maria, from the Greek Maria and Mariam, which render the Aramaic Maryam and correspond to the Hebrew Miryam — the name English also receives as Mary and Miriam. The meaning of the original Hebrew is not established, and the several glosses offered for it are conjectural.
Venerated across Christianity, Islam (as Maryam), and many other traditions, it remains a timeless name worldwide.
how popular is this name?
Maria has appeared in the US top 1,000 in 146 years since 1880. It peaked at #30 in 1975, and ranked #87 in 2025.
See the milestone years
| Year | Rank |
|---|---|
| 2025 | #87 |
| 2024 | #74 |
| 2023 | #82 |
| 2022 | #91 |
| 2021 | #105 |
| 2020 | #109 |
| 2019 | #106 |
| 2018 | #115 |
| 2017 | #111 |
| 2016 | #113 |
| 2010 | #86 |
| 2000 | #41 |
| 1990 | #47 |
| 1980 | #36 |
| 1975 | #30 |
| 1970 | #39 |
| 1960 | #59 |
| 1950 | #73 |
| 1940 | #119 |
| 1930 | #99 |
| 1920 | #130 |
| 1910 | #132 |
| 1900 | #149 |
| 1890 | #141 |
| 1880 | #131 |
Source: SSA National Baby Names Dataset (through 2025). Years absent from the table are years Maria fell outside the top 1,000.
the history of Maria
Maria is given in many languages shaped by Christianity, making it one of the most widely used feminine names in the world. It is honoured in Islam too, where Maryam, the mother of Isa, is the only woman named in the Quran.
who are famous people named Maria?
- Maria Callas (opera singer)
- Maria Montessori (educator)
- Maria von Trapp (The Sound of Music)
- Maria Sharapova (tennis player)
what are the nicknames and variants of Maria?
Nicknames
Variants around the world
what names are similar to Maria?
what names go well with Maria?
Sibling names that share Maria's rhythm and register without echoing it too closely.
quick answers about Maria
What does the name Maria mean?
Maria means “beloved, wished-for child, sea of bitterness”.
What is the origin of the name Maria?
Maria comes from the Hebrew naming tradition. Related forms include Mary, Miriam and Marie.
How popular is the name Maria?
Maria ranked #87 in the US in 2025, according to Social Security data. Its best year was 1975, at #30, and it has spent 146 years in the top 1,000 since 1880.
Is Maria a boy or girl name?
Maria is primarily a girls' name.
How do you pronounce Maria?
Maria is pronounced mah-REE-uh, with 3 syllables.
Last updated · Curated by HushName editorial
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