Mary is a female given name that has been used for centuries in various cultures and languages. It is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means "bitterness" or "rebellion." In the Christian tradition, Mary is the name of the mother of Jesus, who is venerated as a symbol of purity, grace, and motherly love. The name Mary has been popular among Christians since the Middle Ages and has been given to countless girls and women throughout history, including many famous figures such as Mary Magdalene, Mary Queen of Scots, and Mary Shelley. Today, Mary remains a timeless and classic name that is still widely used around the world.
Mary rank report (US ranking for newborns 2021)
Nicknames for Mary
| Mare | mair | Shortened version of Mary |
| May | may | Shortened version of Mary |
| Molly | mah-lee | A common nickname for Mary |
| Polly | pah-lee | A common nickname for Mary |
| Mae | may | Shortened version of Mary |
| Marie | muh-ree | A common nickname for Mary |
| Mimi | mee-mee | A cute and affectionate nickname for Mary |
| Maz | maz | A modern and unique nickname for Mary |
| Mamie | may-mee | A vintage nickname for Mary |
Famous people named Mary
| Mary Shelley | Writing | English novelist and author of the Gothic novel Frankenstein |
| Mary Wollstonecraft | Feminism | English writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights |
| Mary Queen of Scots | Royalty | Queen of Scotland from 1542 to 1567 and rival claimant to the English throne |
| Mary Tyler Moore | Acting | American actress, known for her roles in The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Ordinary People |
| Mary J. Blige | Music | American singer, songwriter, and actress, known for her soulful R&B music |
| Mary-Kate Olsen | Acting | American actress, fashion designer, and producer, known for her role in Full House |
| Mary Lou Retton | Sports | American gymnast and Olympic gold medalist |
| Mary Higgins Clark | Writing | American author, known for her suspense novels |
| Mary Cassatt | Art | American painter and printmaker, known for her impressionist works |
| Mary Barra | Business | CEO of General Motors, the first woman to lead a major global automaker |
Fictional character called Mary from pop culture
| Mary Poppins | magical nanny | A magical nanny who appears out of nowhere to take care of the Banks children in the Mary Poppins series of children's books and movies |
| Mary Jane Watson | love interest of Spider-Man | A character in the Spider-Man comic book series, Mary Jane Watson is Peter Parker's on-again, off-again love interest |
| Mary Stuart | Queen of Scotland | Mary Stuart, also known as Mary, Queen of Scots, was the queen of Scotland from 1542 to 1567 |
| Mary Crawley | character in Downton Abbey | Mary Crawley is a character in the British television series Downton Abbey, played by actress Michelle Dockery |
| Mary Malone | physicist in His Dark Materials | Mary Malone is a character in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, and is a physicist who becomes involved in the story's central conflict |
| Mary Winchester | mother of Sam and Dean Winchester | Mary Winchester is a character in the television series Supernatural, and is the mother of Sam and Dean Winchester |
| Mary Morstan | character in Sherlock Holmes | Mary Morstan is a character in the Sherlock Holmes story The Sign of the Four, and is a client of Holmes who seeks his help in solving a mystery |
| Mary Goodnight | Bond girl in The Man with the Golden Gun | Mary Goodnight is a character in the James Bond novel and film The Man with the Golden Gun, and is a Bond girl who assists Bond in his mission |
| Mary Bennet | character in Pride and Prejudice | Mary Bennet is a character in Jane Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice, and is the middle sister of the Bennet family |
| Mary Katherine Gallagher | Saturday Night Live character | Mary Katherine Gallagher is a character created by comedian Molly Shannon, and appeared on Saturday Night Live as a socially awkward Catholic schoolgirl |
Frequently Asked Questions about Mary
| What is the origin of the name Mary? | The name Mary is of Hebrew origin and means 'bitter' or 'beloved'. |
| Is Mary a popular name? | Yes, Mary is a very popular name. It has been a consistently popular name for girls in the United States since the 1880s. |
| What are some variations of the name Mary? | Variations of the name Mary include Maria, Marie, Mariam, Miriam, and Maura. |
| What famous people have the name Mary? | Famous people with the name Mary include Mary J. Blige, Mary Shelley, Mary Tyler Moore, and Mary Queen of Scots. |
| What is the meaning behind the name Mary? | The name Mary has a few different meanings depending on the interpretation of its Hebrew roots. Some believe it means 'bitter' while others believe it means 'beloved' or 'wished for child'. |