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Christian Name Meaning & Origin Guide

Mary

Rebelled against God

Pronunciation: MAR-ee (/ˈmɛrɪ/ or /məˈraɪə/)

Girl Name Biblical origin Popularity 100
Meaning
Rebelled against God
Origin
Biblical
Lucky Number
5
Lucky Day
Saturday
Lucky Stone
Peridot
Life Path
1
Popularity Score
100
Language
English, Hebrew, Greek, Latin
Lucky Colors: BlueTeal

What does Mary mean?

From the Hebrew Mariam meaning 'rebellion' or 'bitterness', derived from the root marah, meaning 'to be bitter'. In the Bible, Mary is the mother of Jesus and a central figure in Christian faith. She is revered as a saint and a model of faith and obedience.

Mary in other languages & scripts

Hebrew
מריה
מילה שפירושה מר של עשבים מרירים
Greek
Μαρία
το όνομα που σημαίνει πικρή ή επιθυμητή
Latin
Maria
name meaning bitter or wished-for child
English
Mary
bitter or beloved, a wished-for child

How to pronounce Mary

English pronunciation
MAR-ee
Biblical pronunciation
Μαρία (Mar-ee-ah)
IPA notation
/ˈmɛrɪ/ or /məˈraɪə/

Numerology & personality

Leadership, initiation, new beginnings

Associated Traits
KindFaithfulCourageousL=LoyalF=Faithful

Spiritual & cultural context

Symbol of faith and devotion

The name Mary is one of the most popular given names for girls around the world. It is the name of the beloved mother of Jesus and a symbol of motherhood, playing an essential role in Christian tradition and art. Many cathedrals, shrines, and churches are dedicated to Mary, and her image graces countless works of art, reflecting the importance of the maternal figure in religious and cultural contexts.

Scriptural & traditional roots

Biblical scripture: New Testament (Matthew 1:20-25, Luke 1:26-38)

Saint connection: Mary, the Virgin

Popularity of Mary by region

Region Country Score Year
Poland PL 96 2024
Spain ES 100 2024

Names similar to Mary

Frequently asked questions about Mary

What does Mary mean?
Mary is a Hebrew name meaning 'rebellion' or 'bitterness'.
Is Mary a Christianity name?
Yes, Mary is a central figure in Christianity as the mother of Jesus.
How to pronounce Mary?
Mary is pronounced as /ˈmeɪ.ri/ in English.
Is Mary popular today?
Yes, Mary is a consistently popular name in many countries.
What is the origin of Mary?
Mary is a Hebrew name derived from the root marah, meaning 'to be bitter'.