name
Very common
Mary
MEH-uh-ree
Mary (name) means a female given name of Hebrew or Aramaic origin. Example: “Her grandmother was also named Mary.”
name
1
A female given name of Hebrew or Aramaic origin.
"Life on Martha’s Vineyard has been mostly ideal for 11-year-old Mary Elizabeth Lambert, the protagonist of Ann Clare LeZotte’s historical novel SHOW ME A SIGN (Scholastic, 288 pp., $18.99; ages 8 to 12)."
— Meg Medina, A Deaf Girl Finds Her Voice on Martha's Vineyard in the 19th Century (2020)
"Her grandmother was also named Mary."
"Deobra Redden, 31, was caught on camera in January jumping over a desk and lunging at Judge Mary Kay Holthus, who was sentencing him in another case."
— , The courtroom attack that led to 26 years in prison (2024)
"For the last decade at least, the trend seems to be that more untraditional names are being chosen over the Bobs, the Toms, the Sues and the Marys."
— , Meet Number 16 Bus Shelter (2009)
2
In Christianity and Islam, the mother of Jesus.
"The painting depicts Mary holding the infant Jesus."
How to use Mary
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA very common female first name, historically tied to the mother of Jesus in Christian and Islamic tradition.
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Word forms
- Plural
- Marys, Maries
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her grandmother was also named _____.
Etymology
Traced back through Old French and Latin to Aramaic and Hebrew Miryam, a name of uncertain original meaning; a doublet of Miriam and Maria.
Related words
Rhymes for Mary
See all rhymes for Mary →Frequently asked questions
What does “Mary” mean?
The word “Mary” means a female given name of Hebrew or Aramaic origin. In plain terms, a very common female first name, historically tied to the mother of Jesus in Christian and Islamic tradition.
How do you pronounce “Mary”?
“Mary” is pronounced MEH-uh-ree (/ˈmɛə.ɹi/ in IPA).
How do you use “Mary” in a sentence?
Here is “Mary” used in a sentence: “Her grandmother was also named Mary.”
What part of speech is “Mary”?
“Mary” is a name.
Where does the word “Mary” come from?
The word “Mary” comes from Latin. Traced back through Old French and Latin to Aramaic and Hebrew Miryam, a name of uncertain original meaning; a doublet of Miriam and Maria.
Is “Mary” a common word?
“Mary” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Mary” have?
“Mary” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a female given name of Hebrew or Aramaic origin.
What is the difference between Mary, Maria, and Miriam?
They are all versions of the same name. Miriam is the original Hebrew form, familiar from the Bible. Maria is the Latin and Greek form, common across Europe and Latin America. Mary is the English form. So the three are less like different names and more like the same name in different languages.
What does the name Mary mean?
Scholars are not certain, and several meanings have been suggested for its Hebrew root, including 'bitter,' 'beloved,' and 'wished-for child.' Because the exact origin is debated, no single translation is universally accepted. What is clear is that the name is ancient and has remained one of the most enduring female names in the West.
What are common nicknames for Mary?
Mary has several traditional short forms and pet names. 'Molly' and 'Polly' are old diminutives that have long been used in their own right. 'May' and 'Mamie' have also served as affectionate forms. In addition, Mary is frequently paired with a second name, as in Mary Jane or Mary Anne.
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