Mary

Q: What is the origin of Mary?

Mary is of Hebrew origin. The name carries significant cultural meaning and has been used across generations within its origin tradition.

Q: How popular is the name Mary?

According to the latest SSA data, Mary is currently ranked #999999 in the United States. The popularity of this name has evolved over the past century based on cultural preferences and naming trends.

Q: Is Mary a boy name?

Mary is traditionally a boy name. Modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal choice and cultural context.

male

Updated 6 months ago

Meaning

"Beloved; Bitterness; Rebellion"

English form of Maria, with debated Hebrew etymology, central to Christian devotion and long used across Europe.

Themes:marianbiblicaldevotiontradition

Biblical Royal Regal Unique Rare

Fact-checked by Dr. Elena Vasquez

Ph.D. Medieval History, StanfordPublished Academic ResearcherHistory Professor (Adjunct) • Historical Names Consultant

This name has been verified against authoritative sources including SSA data, etymology databases, and cultural naming traditions.

Popularity History of Mary

Full SSA rank history from 1880 to 2024

UnrankedNot ranked in 2024

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Yearly Ranking Snapshot

Pick any SSA release year to inspect that year's national ranking and how it changed from the year before.

Year

Selected Year Rank

Unranked

Mary did not appear in the national SSA rankings for 2024.

Change Vs Previous Year

no national rank in 2024

Data Source

Popularity rankings are based on official data from the Social Security Administration (SSA), which tracks baby name applications in the United States.

Last updated: 2024 • Data source updated annually

Mary Nicknames

Familiar short forms, playful variations, and easy everyday options for Mary.

12 ideas

May

Nickname

Molly

Nickname

Polly

Nickname

Mare

Nickname

mary

Nickname

mie

Nickname

maryie

Nickname

maryy

Nickname

maryo

Nickname

Similar Names to Mary

male

Anthony

AN-thuh-nee

“Priceless; Invaluable”

#44

|Latin

male

Andrew

AN-droo

“Manly; Strong”

#68

|Greek

male

Alexander

al-ig-ZAN-der

“Defender of Men”

#27

|Greek

male

Aaron

AIR-un

“Exalted; Mountain of Strength”

#79

|Hebrew

male

Adam

AD-um

“Human, Earth”

#100

|Hebrew

male

Arthur

AR-ther

“Bear Man”

#105

|Celtic

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Albert

AL-bert

“Noble Bright”

#606

|Germanic

male

Austin

AW-stun

“Great, Venerable”

#107

|Latin

male

Allen

“Handsome; Harmonious”

#573

|Celtic

male

Adrian

AY-dree-un

“From Hadria”

#72

|Latin

Baby Name Lists That Include Mary

Browse every Namylab list page that currently includes Mary, from meaning and origin collections to letter, syllable, and themed baby name lists.

30 linked lists

Famous Marys

M
Mary Magdalene
Biblical figure and follower of Jesus Christ. According to Christian tradition, first to witness the resurrection.
M
Mary Queen of Scots
Queen of Scotland in the 16th century. Her execution and claim to English throne shaped European politics.
M
Mary Shelley
British author of 'Frankenstein', written when she was 18. Pioneered science fiction as a literary genre.
M
Mary Wollstonecraft
British writer and advocate for women's rights. Author of 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'.
M
Mary Pickford
Canadian-American actress. Major star of silent film era, co-founded United Artists studio.
M
Mary Tyler Moore
American actress and producer. Star of iconic television shows, groundbreaking female television pioneer.
M
Mary Somerville
Scottish scientist and writer. Pioneering female natural philosopher in astronomy and mathematics.
M
Mary Cassatt
American painter and printmaker. Major Impressionist artist known for paintings of mothers and children.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Mary mean?

Mary means "Beloved; Bitterness; Rebellion". English form of Maria, with debated Hebrew etymology, central to Christian devotion and long used across Europe.

What is the origin of Mary?

Mary is of Hebrew origin. The name has been used historically across cultures and carries significant cultural meaning within its origin tradition.

How popular is the name Mary?

According to the latest SSA data, Mary is currently not ranked in the United States. The name has shown interesting trends over the past century, with popularity varying based on cultural preferences and naming trends.

Is Mary a boy name?

Mary is traditionally a boy name. However, modern naming practices are increasingly flexible, and names can be used across genders based on personal preference.

What are good nicknames for Mary?

Popular nicknames for Mary include May, Molly, Polly, Mare, and more. These offer shorter, more casual alternatives for everyday use.

What names are similar to Mary?

There are many names similar to Mary in meaning, origin, or sound. Explore the Similar Names section to discover alternatives that may resonate with you.

Quick Facts

OriginHebrew, Latin, English

Syllables2

Length4 letters

Trend→ Stable

Starts withM

Sibling Ideas

Brothers

Abe Arron Aaden Avraham Ammon

Sisters

Ann Anita Alisha Abbie Annmarie

Explore More Boy Names Like Mary

Mary has Hebrew roots, making it a wonderful choice if you love names from this heritage. Discover more options in our Hebrew baby names collection, where you'll find hundreds of names with similar cultural depth.

Mary appears in several of our curated collections. Check out Names That Mean Love and Unique Baby Names for more names with a similar feel. You might also enjoy browsing Biblical Baby Names and Hebrew Baby Names.

Before you decide, try our Full Name Preview to see how Mary pairs with your surname. The Sibling Name Matcher can help find names that complement Mary beautifully, and the Nickname Predictor reveals the most common short forms.

Explore our full baby name lists for origin-based, meaning-based, and themed collections, or head back to the baby name generator to continue your search.