MARY  

Gender: F
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: "bitter"

Popularity in 2008: #97

The quintessential New Testament name was Number 1 for girls for four hundred years. Though still in the Top 100, it's used now mostly for religious or family reasons. If it's style you're after, its diminutives and derivatives Maire, Mamie, May, Mitzi, Molly, Maura, Marietta, and even Maria are all more fashionable.

Variations:
Maryann, Mollie, Mirja, Minette, Maryla, Marilyn, Maren, Marya, Marella, Maymie, Mamie, Marla, Minti, Maree, May, Marabel, Polly, Molly, Mimi, Marlo, Maurene, Marysa, Marette, Mariann, Mariam, Molli, Marietta, Poll, Marilee, Maryanna, Marila, Malle, Millie, Maridel, Marianne, Milly, Mayria, Mariana, Marilla, Mair, Moll, Maurine, Mame, Mayra, Maretta, Minnie, Marynia, Merrill, Mayme, Marin, Marilin, Marabelle, Polli, Marysia, Mal, Marelle

Mary is being discussed in our message boards:

• Twin sister name for Georgia?
• Absurdly Long Baby Name Game=)!!!!!!
• Mayflower Names!
• Unexpected, soft, and pretty girl names?
• Best of British - some Telegraph birth announcements

Read Nameberry blog posts about Mary:

• THE LOST NAMES OF 1880
• SCOTTISH BABY NAMES: What's 'in' in Inverness?
• IRISH NAMES NOW: What's doing in Dublin?
• HEROINE NAMES: Worthy Women with Notable Names, Part 2: Cultural Icons
• ELIZABETH: The Name That Has Everything?