Mary

Mary is a common female given name, originating from the Hebrew name Miriam. It has been popular for centuries, particularly in Christian cultures, as it was the name of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus Christ.

Etymology

The name Mary comes from the Hebrew name Miriam. The exact meaning of Miriam is unclear, but it's often said to mean 'sea of bitterness', 'rebelliousness', or 'wished for child'. However, it was most likely originally an Egyptian name, perhaps derived in part from mry ('beloved') or mr ('love').

Religious Significance

In Christianity, Mary is revered as the mother of Jesus Christ. According to the New Testament, Mary was a virgin when she conceived Jesus through the Holy Spirit. She then married Joseph and accompanied him to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born.

In Islam, Mary (known as Maryam in Arabic) is also highly respected. She is considered one of the most righteous women in the Islamic tradition, and the Quran tells a similar story of her virgin birth to Jesus.

Popularity

Mary was the most popular name for girls in the United States from 1880 until 1961. Since then, its popularity has declined, but it remains a widely used name. It's also popular in various forms in countries around the world.

Notable People Named Mary

There have been many notable people named Mary throughout history, including:

• Mary, Queen of Scots, the queen regnant of Scotland from 1542 to 1567.
• Mary Shelley, the English novelist who wrote Frankenstein.
• Mary Cassatt, the American painter and printmaker.
• Mary Curie, the Polish and naturalized-French physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity.