Maria
mah-REE-ah
A classic form of Mary, widely used across Europe and closely tied to the biblical tradition.
Meaning
Maria is the familiar Latin and European form of Mary, ultimately linked to Miriam. The excerpts explicitly connect it with Miriam and give the traditional Hebrew meaning “bitter,” while also showing Greek and Latin transmission of the name. In Christian usage it became one of the most widespread female names in Europe, and the excerpts also note occasional use as a male middle name in older English records.
Origin
HebrewGreekLatinfeminine
Fun fact
Older English sources record Maria as a male middle name too, as in Thomas Maria Wingfield.