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The short answer
Maria is a feminine name, the Latin form of Greek Μαρία, from Hebrew (see Mary). Behind the Name explains it is the usual form of the name across many European languages, and a secondary form in others such as English, where the common spelling is Mary. It was borne by two ruling queens of Portugal and by Habsburg queen Maria Theresa (1717-1780). It is pronounced mə-REE-ə. In the United States it ranked #87 for girls in 2025.
Meaning and etymology
Behind the Name gives Maria as the "Latin form of Greek Μαρία, from Hebrew מִרְיָם (see Mary)", noting the underlying Hebrew name's meaning is itself uncertain. It is the usual form of the name in many European languages and a secondary form in others, such as English (where Mary is the common spelling). The entry notes it was borne by two ruling queens of Portugal and by Habsburg queen Maria Theresa (1717-1780), whose inheritance began the War of the Austrian Succession. In Germany, Poland and Italy it is occasionally used as a masculine middle name.
Editorial confidence: established
Linguistic roots
| Language | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Hebrew | מִרְיָם (Miryam) | uncertain (see Mary) |
Popularity
Maria ranked #87 for girls in the United States in 2025 (Social Security Administration).
| Region | Year | Rank | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 2025 | #87 | ssa-2025 |
Nicknames, variants, and related names
Nicknames: Mia, Ria
Variants: Marie, Mari, Mariah, Mary
Related names: Mary, Marie, Mariam
What the name feels like
Maria feels both classic and universal: its near-identical spelling and sound across Italian, Spanish, German, Scandinavian and Slavic languages give it an international quality that few names share.
Style tags: classic, cross-cultural, three syllables, biblical
Editorial interpretation: These style impressions are editorial judgment, not linguistic fact.
If you like this name
Names that share Maria's biblical root or its wide, cross-language recognition.
Similar by meaning
Similar by sound
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maria mean?
Maria is the Latin form of Greek Μαρία, from the Hebrew name Miryam (see Mary); the ultimate meaning of the Hebrew root is uncertain.
Is Maria a popular name?
Yes. Maria ranked #87 among girls' names in the United States in 2025, according to Social Security Administration data.
Is Maria the same name as Mary?
Yes, Behind the Name treats Maria as the standard European form of the same underlying name that is spelled Mary in English.
Sources
- Behind the Name: Meaning, origin and history of the name Maria — supports etymology, pronunciation, variants, history.
- U.S. Social Security Administration: Popular Baby Names — national data, year of birth 2025 — supports popularity.
