Maria

Updated: October 15, 2023 by Sarah Nance

The name Maria is a classic name. It's been used in various countries not only as a beautiful first name but also as a fantastic middle name. Maria is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam. While the preferred name in many European countries, Maria was less common than the name Mary in English-speaking countries until the early 00s when it finally surpassed it. Keep reading to learn more about this lovely name.

Meaning and Origin of the name Maria:

Maria is a girl’s name of Aramaic Latin origin, meaning “drop of the sea” or “bitter”. The name is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam and the Egyptian name Mry, meaning “beloved.”

Symbolism of the name Maria:

Maria, as a name, means “drop of the sea” and has been associated with the North Star by seafarers for centuries. This guiding light symbolizes hope.

Nicknames for the name Maria:

Mari
Masha
Merry
Ria
Mar
Aria
RiRi
Ma
MarMar

Style of the name Maria:

Traditional

Gender of the name Maria:

Maria is a girl's name.

Pronunciation of the name Maria:

mə-REE-ə, ma-RYE-uh (English), ma-REE-a (Italian, German, Dutch, Greek), mu-RYEE-yə (Russian)

Number of syllables in the name Maria:

Three

Emotion evoked from the name Maria:

Maria evokes feelings of refinement and maturity.

Alternative spellings for the name Maria:

Mariya, Mariah, Marja

Popularity of the name Maria:

According to the Social Security Administration, Maria is a consistently popular name for girls. Maria has been in the top 200 baby names since 1900 and in the top 100 from 1942 to 2011.