Girl name · Latin
Maria
“bitter; star of the sea”
Vibes
Common nicknames
Short-forms and diminutives parents often use for Maria.
Explore Maria further
Similar-feel alternatives, or middle-name candidates that pair well with Maria — both ranked by the same scoring system (vibe overlap, syllable rhythm, origin compatibility).
About the name
Maria is the Latin form of Hebrew Miryam, and it is probably the most-given female name in recorded human history. The stella maris reading — star of the sea — comes from a copying error: Jerome wrote stilla maris, a drop of the sea, and a later scribe changed one letter.
That mistake produced a millennium of Marian hymns, so it has more than earned its place. Maria is standard across Europe and Latin America and sits at number 87 in the US.
Mia and Ria are both full names now. Three syllables want one (Maria Sol, Maria Jane). On our vibe map it is Heirloom at near-full strength.
More Latin names
Maria sits in our Latin set — these share its roots.
All Latin names →Maria — common questions
Is Maria a boy or girl name?
Maria is traditionally a girl name of Latin origin.
What does the name Maria mean?
Maria means “bitter; star of the sea” of Latin origin. Maria is the Latin form of Hebrew Miryam, and it is probably the most-given female name in recorded human history. The stella maris reading — star of the sea — comes from a copying error: Jerome wrote stilla maris, a drop of the sea, and a later scribe changed one letter.
Where does the name Maria come from?
Maria is Latin in origin. That mistake produced a millennium of Marian hymns, so it has more than earned its place. Maria is standard across Europe and Latin America and sits at number 87 in the US.
What are common nicknames for Maria?
Mia, Ria, and Mimi — the short-forms parents most often use for Maria.
How popular is Maria?
Maria did not make the top 1,000 girls' names in US Social Security Administration data for 2025, which makes it genuinely rare in the US.
Bring the name into the room
A couple of nice things named Maria you might want for the nursery.