Maria Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
Maria is of Hebrew origin, derived from Miriam, meaning 'beloved' or 'sea of bitterness'. It has evolved through various languages, including Latin and English. The name is often linked to biblical figures, adding to its significance. Maria is viewed positively in modern contexts, symbolizing grace and kindness, and has numerous notable bearers.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Maria"
Pronunciation
/məˈriːə/
Origin
Hebrew
Etymology
The name Maria is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam, which means 'sea of bitterness' or 'beloved'. It has been used in various cultures and languages, often associated with the Virgin Mary in Christian tradition.
Meaning
beloved, sea of bitterness
Language Evolution
Miriam (Hebrew), Maria (Latin), Marie (French), Mary (English)
Biblical Background
The name has strong biblical connotations, as it is linked to Miriam, the sister of Moses, and Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Historical Usage
Maria gained popularity in the Christian world during the Middle Ages, especially in Europe, due to the veneration of the Virgin Mary.
Variants & Derivatives
Marie, Mary, Miriam, Maja
Modern Popularity & Image
Maria remains a widely used name across various cultures and is often associated with gentleness and grace.
Famous People
Maria Montessori, Maria Callas, Maria Sharapova, Maria von Trapp
📊 Maria Name Trend Analysis
Girl Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Boy Name Trend
Recent 3-Year Analysis
Explore More Maria Name Visualizations
✨ Maria Name Meaning & Significance
Popularity Trend
Highly Popular name with 10,196 peak births in 1964
Geographic Spread
Popular across 51 US states, with strongest presence in Texas
Historical Span
Data spanning 145 years from 1880 to 2024, showing long-term trends
Generational Impact
Influenced 14 different American generations with varying popularity
🔊 Same Pronunciation Names for "Maria" - Complete Guide (9 Names)
Discover the ultimate list of homophone names and same pronunciation names that sound identical to "Maria". These names share the same pronunciation but may have different spellings, offering alternative options for parents seeking similar-sounding names. Whether you're looking for American or British pronunciation variations, this comprehensive guide includes 9 carefully curated names that maintain the same phonetic sound.
Why explore same pronunciation names? Many parents search for homophone names to find alternative spellings that might be more unique or culturally significant. This ultimate list covers both American and British pronunciation patterns, ensuring you find the perfect variation of "Maria" that fits your preferences.
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Maria"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Maria"
"Maria" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 1670th of 7545 | 330 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1196th of 6773 | 598 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1276th of 7552 | 691 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 1035th of 10718 | 984 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 1149th of 16616 | 1,304 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 4523rd of 24088 | 301 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 10747th of 23106 | 64 |
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Girl | 135th of 9107 | 32,603 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Girl | 112th of 9204 | 42,694 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Girl | 66th of 12526 | 125,633 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Girl | 36th of 19264 | 128,500 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Girl | 46th of 27321 | 107,640 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Girl | 43rd of 35406 | 87,837 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Girl | 103rd of 30306 | 33,245 |
Regional Popularity of "Maria" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - |
35.29% 835th/2366 |
73.29% 837th/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - |
28.30% 666th/2353 |
68.97% 1067th/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
58.24% 1297th/2227 |
40.70% 989th/2430 |
30.60% 873rd/2853 |
35.17% 976th/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
38.99% 1145th/2937 |
28.88% 1006th/3483 |
25.78% 907th/3518 |
18.99% 768th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
44.40% 1636th/3685 |
39.20% 1754th/4475 |
22.43% 1165th/5194 |
10.50% 663rd/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - |
45.13% 3300th/7313 |
36.42% 2718th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
Regional Popularity of "Maria" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
21.47% 304th/1416 |
10.73% 148th/1379 |
4.31% 102nd/2366 |
3.77% 43rd/1142 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
16.69% 258th/1546 |
8.80% 137th/1556 |
2.72% 64th/2353 |
3.30% 51st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
6.06% 135th/2227 |
2.18% 53rd/2430 |
1.58% 45th/2853 |
1.55% 43rd/2775 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
2.62% 77th/2937 |
0.83% 29th/3483 |
1.19% 42nd/3518 |
0.35% 14th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
1.95% 72nd/3685 |
1.18% 53rd/4475 |
1.00% 52nd/5194 |
0.33% 21st/6317 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
1.53% 70th/4582 |
1.30% 67th/5164 |
0.63% 46th/7313 |
0.40% 30th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
3.11% 124th/3984 |
2.45% 110th/4487 |
1.41% 96th/6822 |
1.51% 95th/6276 |
State-by-State Popularity of "Maria"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Maria" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.
Comprehensive Regional & Generational Popularity Trends of "Maria" in the United States
The name Maria is most popular in Texas, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Girl name among the Generation X (Gen X) generation in the West region. Recent 3-year trends show this Girl name is gaining popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been gradually declining. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Maria has been stalled for male in MidWest, too falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, too falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too falling for female in South, stalled for male in West, too falling for female in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, falling for female in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, falling for female in Northeast, stalled for male in South, too rising for female in South, stalled for male in West, too rising for female in West. Across generations, 'Maria' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 1670th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1196th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1276th out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 1035th out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 1149th out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 4523rd out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 10747th out of 23106 names. Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 135th out of 9107 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 112th out of 9204 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 66th out of 12526 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 36th out of 19264 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 46th out of 27321 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 43rd out of 35406 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 103rd out of 30306 names. Discover how the name 'Maria' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.