Maria

At a Glance

Meaning

Of disputed root; possibly 'bitter' or 'rebellious' (Hebrew), or 'beloved' (Egyptian)

Origin

Hebrew (via Latin)

Gender

Girl

Pronunciation

muh-REE-uhListen

Maria is a classic girl's name with Hebrew roots that came into English by way of Latin, pronounced muh-REE-uh. You may have heard that it means 'star of the sea,' but that's a popular myth — most likely the result of a Latin copying error that turned 'stilla maris' (drop of the sea) into 'stella maris' (star of the sea). The name's true root is actually uncertain and still debated, with some tracing it to a Hebrew word for 'bitter' or 'rebellious,' and others to an Egyptian word for 'beloved.'

Meaning & Origin of Maria

Meaning: Of disputed root; possibly 'bitter' or 'rebellious' (Hebrew), or 'beloved' (Egyptian).

Origin: Hebrew (via Latin).

A common claim: Maria/Mary means 'star of the sea' Actually: This is a well-documented folk etymology, likely from a Latin copying error (stilla maris, 'drop of the sea', became stella maris, 'star of the sea'); the real Hebrew root is uncertain and debated.

Source: Wiktionary, Wikipedia.

How to Pronounce Maria

Popularity of Maria

Maria peaked at #30 in 1975, when 7,539 babies were given the name; by 2024 it ranked #74, with 3,105 babies named Maria that year.

Names Like Maria

These names share Maria’s style, era or origin.

• Marie
• Aurora
• Blakely
• Braelynn
• Cordelia
• Darya

FAQ

What does the name Maria mean?

Of disputed root; possibly ‘bitter’ or ‘rebellious’ (Hebrew), or ‘beloved’ (Egyptian). (Source: Wiktionary)

How do you pronounce Maria?

Maria is pronounced muh-REE-uh (IPA: /məˈriːə/).

Is Maria a popular name right now?

Maria peaked at #30 in 1975 and is ranked #74 as of 2024. (U.S. Social Security Administration data, 1880–2024.)

Make Maria Name Art

Free printable nursery art for Maria, pre-loaded below — pick a layout, palette, and font, then download a print-ready PNG.