Mary

Meaning: Uncertain; possibly bitter or rebellious
Origin: Hebrew — English form of Maria

Nicknames: Molly, Minnie, Mae, Polly, Mamie

Girl's name · #125 in the US (2025) · Vintage

Popularity over time

Mary was #1 back in 1880, spent 76 years as America's #1 name, and stands at #125 today. About 4.1 million girls have carried it since 1880.

Across the states

In recent years, Mary ran 5–6× its national rate in Mississippi and Alabama—ranked #6 in Mississippi and Alabama in 2025.

Appears in 2020-2025 birth records of 49 states. See the full state-by-state map on this page.

Around the world

See how Mary ranks in other countries and regions.

#112 in Ireland (2025) · #159 in New Zealand (2025) · #161 in N. Ireland (2025) · #215 in Canada (2025) · #256 in Scotland (2025) · #329 in England & Wales (2025) · #507 in Ecuador (2025) · #519 in Norway (2025) · #699 in Sweden (2025) · #760 in Italy (2024) · #1,289 in Belgium (2025) · #1,420 in France (2025) and 8 more.

Famous Marys

Mary — Mother of Jesus (c. 18 BCE–48 CE)
Mary Shelley — English writer (1797–1851)
Mary Wollstonecraft — English writer and philosopher (1759–1797)
Mary Magdalene — Saint and follower of Jesus (–100)
Mary I — Queen of England and Ireland from 1553 to 1558 (1516–1558)
Mary Steenburgen — American actress (born 1953)
Mary Elizabeth Winstead — American actress (born 1984)
Mary Tyler Moore — American actress and television producer (1936–2017)
Mary of Teck — Queen of the United Kingdom from 1910 to 1936 (1867–1953)
Mary Pickford — Canadian actress and producer (1892–1979)

In stories & tradition

Mary Jane Watson — Marvel Comics character
Mary of Bethany — Disciple of Jesus
Mary of Clopas — One of the women present at the crucifixion of Jesus

What Marys become

Among 7,719 notable people named Mary:

Artists & writers appear 1.72× more often than among typical names — e.g. Mary Shelley, English writer (1797–1851).

Spellings & nicknames

About 1,500 girls a year are given Molly as their full name, 600 Mae, 73 Polly, and 57 Minnie.

Similar names: Mariah · Anna · Martha · Amari · Eva · Ariyah

Browse more girl names — popularity, trends and eras for 5,700+ American names, free.

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