Mary Girl

Popularity: #122 · Trend: ↘ Falling

Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: MAIR-ee //ˈmɛəri//

Origin: Hebrew; Latin; French

Meaning: Hebrew: 'sea of bitterness'; Latin: 'wished-for child'; French: 'beloved'

Historical & Cultural Background

The name Mary has its roots in the Hebrew name Miriam, which is believed to mean "sea of bitterness," "rebelliousness," or "wished-for child." The name was adopted into Greek as Maria and later into Latin as Maria. This Latin form was then brought into Old French as Marie, which eventually evolved into the English Mary.

The transition into English occurred around the 12th century, influenced by the Norman Conquest, which introduced many French names into the English language. Mary holds significant historical and religious importance, particularly in Christianity.

One of the most notable figures bearing this name is the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, who is venerated in various Christian traditions. Her prominence in the New Testament, particularly in the Gospels, has made the name Mary a symbol of purity and motherhood.

The name appears in various forms in the Bible and has been used by numerous saints throughout the centuries, further solidifying its prominence in Christian culture. Throughout history, the name Mary has been associated with various queens and historical figures, including Mary I of England, known as "Bloody Mary," and Mary, Queen of Scots, who was a significant figure in the tumultuous history of Scotland and England during the 16th century.

The name has been used in numerous literary works, hymns, and prayers, contributing to its cultural resonance and enduring legacy. In addition to its religious and royal associations, Mary has also been a common name in various cultures, often appearing in different forms and diminutives, such as Maria in Italian and Spanish, or Marie in French.

The name's widespread use and its deep-rooted connections to significant historical and cultural narratives have ensured its lasting presence across different societies.

Famous people named Mary

In this section, you will find notable people named Mary. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Mary who have made a significant impact on popular culture.

We also feature individuals named Mary who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.

Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.

Mary Shelley is an author best known for Frankenstein, The Last Man, and Mathilda.

Mary J. Blige is a singer and songwriter best known for What's the 411?, My Life, and Strength of a Woman.

Mary Tyler Moore is an actress and producer best known for The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Ordinary People.

Mary Pickford is an actress and producer best known for Coquette, Sparrows, and acting in silent films.

Mary Cassatt is an artist best known for her paintings of mothers and children and being a prominent figure in the Impressionist movement.

Mary Lou Retton is a gymnast best known for winning the all-around gold medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Mary Barra is a business executive best known for being the CEO of General Motors.

Mary Steenburgen is an actress best known for Melvin and Howard, Parenthood, and The Proposal.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead is an actress best known for Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, 10 Cloverfield Lane, and Fargo.

Mary Hart is a television personality best known for hosting Entertainment Tonight.

Fictional characters named Mary

The following list of fictional characters named Mary is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.

You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.

Mary Poppins is a fictional character from the book and film Mary Poppins. She is a magical nanny who guides the Banks children.

Mary Jane Watson is a fictional character from the Marvel Comics universe. She is a significant love interest of Spider-Man and a prominent character in his storylines.

Mary Lennox is a fictional character from the novel The Secret Garden. She is a spoiled and lonely girl who discovers friendship and healing in a hidden garden.

Mary Shelley is a fictional character from the novel The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. She is depicted as a writer who becomes involved in the story's events, reflecting her own literary legacy.

Mary Winchester is a fictional character from the TV series Supernatural. She is the mother of Sam and Dean Winchester and plays a crucial role in their backstory.

Sibling suggestions

If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Mary, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.

ElizabethAnneSarahCatherineMargaretJane

Similar names

Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Mary. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.

MariaMiriamMarianneMollyMabelMinaMara

U.S. Historical Usage

The name Mary was first seen in the United States in 1880.

Mary has ranked as high as #1 nationally, which occurred in 1921, and has been most popular in Pennsylvania, New York, Texas, Ohio, and Illinois.

In the past 5 years the name Mary has been trending down compared to the previous 5 years.

Popularity Over Time (National)

The name Mary is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Mary was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.

Popularity Over Time (National) — Table

We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Mary.

Year Total Births Boy Girl
2025 2,230 0 2,230
2024 2,219 0 2,219
2023 2,085 0 2,085
2022 2,119 0 2,119
2021 2,102 0 2,102
2020 2,235 5 2,230
2019 2,241 0 2,241
2018 2,369 0 2,369
2017 2,425 0 2,425
2016 2,526 0 2,526
2015 2,642 0 2,642
2014 2,642 5 2,637
2013 2,669 0 2,669
2012 2,593 6 2,587
2011 2,715 0 2,715
2010 2,887 5 2,882
2009 3,177 0 3,177
2008 3,514 0 3,514
2007 3,707 10 3,697
2006 4,126 10 4,116
2005 4,491 10 4,481
2004 4,869 31 4,838
2003 5,052 9 5,043
2002 5,499 12 5,487
2001 5,776 14 5,762
2000 6,232 10 6,222
1999 6,401 11 6,390
1998 6,492 14 6,478
1997 6,663 13 6,650
1996 6,984 16 6,968
1995 7,471 13 7,458
1994 7,768 10 7,758
1993 8,142 18 8,124
1992 8,488 25 8,463
1991 8,796 32 8,764
1990 8,715 45 8,670
1989 8,719 74 8,645
1988 8,566 48 8,518
1987 8,464 69 8,395
1986 8,554 47 8,507
1985 9,307 67 9,240
1984 9,349 56 9,293
1983 9,954 57 9,897
1982 10,924 73 10,851
1981 11,109 67 11,042
1980 11,526 52 11,474
1979 10,620 65 10,555
1978 10,101 61 10,040
1977 10,708 52 10,656
1976 10,377 62 10,315
1975 11,039 66 10,973
1974 11,799 61 11,738
1973 12,367 54 12,313
1972 13,831 74 13,757
1971 16,789 86 16,703
1970 19,303 99 19,204
1969 19,958 108 19,850
1968 21,828 101 21,727
1967 25,443 127 25,316
1966 28,998 108 28,890
1965 34,406 136 34,270
1964 41,119 134 40,985
1963 41,683 137 41,546
1962 43,660 158 43,502
1961 47,850 168 47,682
1960 51,641 169 51,472
1959 54,671 169 54,502
1958 55,989 141 55,848
1957 61,284 182 61,102
1956 61,886 145 61,741
1955 63,322 148 63,174
1954 68,187 168 68,019
1953 64,535 146 64,389
1952 65,788 159 65,629
1951 65,882 161 65,721
1950 65,600 119 65,481
1949 67,043 169 66,874
1948 68,761 164 68,597
1947 71,874 184 71,690
1946 67,657 186 67,471
1945 59,476 198 59,278
1944 62,729 253 62,476
1943 66,428 254 66,174
1942 63,534 278 63,256
1941 58,363 315 58,048
1940 56,519 303 56,216
1939 55,172 272 54,900
1938 56,509 284 56,225
1937 55,929 288 55,641
1936 54,669 292 54,377
1935 55,353 277 55,076
1934 57,231 302 56,929
1933 55,835 318 55,517
1932 60,213 330 59,883
1931 60,624 325 60,299
1930 64,493 340 64,153
1929 63,839 327 63,512
1928 67,165 294 66,871
1927 70,925 283 70,642
1926 68,104 272 67,832
1925 70,846 260 70,586
1924 73,758 224 73,534
1923 71,837 203 71,634
1922 72,363 186 72,177
1921 74,171 187 73,984
1920 71,178 195 70,983
1919 65,990 154 65,836
1918 67,534 169 67,365
1917 64,439 159 64,280
1916 61,602 164 61,438
1915 58,346 159 58,187
1914 45,473 127 45,346
1913 36,768 126 36,642
1912 32,422 118 32,304
1911 24,488 98 24,390
1910 22,947 99 22,848
1909 19,339 80 19,259
1908 18,744 79 18,665
1907 17,650 70 17,580
1906 16,446 76 16,370
1905 16,135 68 16,067
1904 15,019 58 14,961
1903 14,338 63 14,275
1902 14,542 56 14,486
1901 13,194 58 13,136
1900 16,780 75 16,705
1899 13,222 50 13,172
1898 14,456 50 14,406
1897 13,476 63 13,413
1896 13,868 57 13,811
1895 13,494 47 13,447
1894 13,199 48 13,151
1893 12,839 55 12,784
1892 13,222 50 13,172
1891 11,743 39 11,704
1890 12,113 35 12,078
1889 11,689 41 11,648
1888 11,804 50 11,754
1887 9,935 47 9,888
1886 9,921 32 9,889
1885 9,166 38 9,128
1884 9,253 36 9,217
1883 8,044 32 8,012
1882 8,178 30 8,148
1881 6,948 29 6,919
1880 7,092 27 7,065

Top States for Mary (2024)

We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.

State Births Share
TX 190
9%
AL 159
7%
PA 114
5%
GA 110
5%
TN 105
5%
NC 104
5%
OH 93
4%
CA 90
4%
MS 78
4%
FL 78
4%
LA 74
3%
VA 71
3%
SC 68
3%
NY 65
3%
IL 63
3%
KY 55
3%
IN 53
2%
MI 52
2%
MO 51
2%
AR 36
2%
MA 35
2%
WA 32
1%
MD 31
1%
KS 30
1%
WI 30
1%
MN 28
1%
UT 25
1%
IA 24
1%
CO 24
1%
AZ 22
1%
NJ 22
1%
OK 19
1%
OR 19
1%
CT 15
1%
NV 14
1%
ID 13
1%
DC 12
1%
MT 11
1%
NH 10
0%
NM 10
0%
WV 10
0%
NE 9
0%
WY 8
0%
ME 8
0%
RI 8
0%
DE 7
0%