Maria
Maria is a Christian girl name of Hebrew, via Greek and Latin origin, meaning “Debated: beloved, bitter, or of the sea”.
| Meaning | Debated: beloved, bitter, or of the sea |
|---|---|
| Gender | Girl |
| Origin | Hebrew, via Greek and Latin |
| Pronunciation | mah-REE-ah |
| Tradition | Christian |
| Used in | Worldwide |
Meaning and origin of Maria
Maria is the Latin and Greek form of Hebrew Miryam, the name of Moses' sister and of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Its meaning is debated: it has been linked with Hebrew mar, 'bitter', with the Egyptian root mry, 'beloved', and, through Latin, with the 'star of the sea' title. Maria is one of the most widely used names in the world, from Spain and Italy to Brazil, Poland and the Philippines.
Is Maria a Christian name?
Maria honours the Virgin Mary and is a central Christian, especially Catholic and Orthodox, name; the Arabic form Maryam is also used by Muslims.
How popular is Maria?
One of the most common female names worldwide.
Gifts with the name Maria
- Maria name necklaces & bracelets (Amazon)
- Personalised Maria baby gifts (Amazon)
- Christian baby gifts & books (Amazon)
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. We may earn a small commission from these links, at no extra cost to you.
Spellings and variants of Maria
Names similar to Maria
More Christian girl names
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Maria mean?
Maria means 'Debated: beloved, bitter, or of the sea'. It is of Hebrew, via Greek and Latin origin.
Is Maria a Christian name?
Maria honours the Virgin Mary and is a central Christian, especially Catholic and Orthodox, name; the Arabic form Maryam is also used by Muslims.
How do you pronounce Maria?
Maria is pronounced mah-REE-ah.
Is Maria a boy or girl name?
Maria is usually a girl name.