Maria Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Maria is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Maria?
Maria is spelled M-A-R-I-A. The name has 5 letters.
Maria at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Maria is commonly understood to mean “sea of bitterness” or “rebelliousness” based on its etymological roots.
- Origin
- Maria is a form of the name Mary, which has origins in the Hebrew name Miryam. Its use spans various cultures and languages.
- Pronunciation
- MAH-ree-ah · 3 syllables
Maria Popularity in 2025
Rank#87
Recorded Births2,887
Rank#10,695
Recorded Births6
- Girls usage fell 13 places to #87 and recorded 235 fewer births compared with 2024.
- Boys usage fell 1,708 places to #10,695 and recorded 2 fewer births compared with 2024.
Figures reflect this exact spelling in the latest available U.S. Social Security Administration records. See the complete year-by-year trend.
What Does the Name Maria Mean?
Maria is commonly understood to mean “sea of bitterness” or “rebelliousness” based on its etymological roots.
Origin: Maria is a form of the name Mary, which has origins in the Hebrew name Miryam. Its use spans various cultures and languages.
How Do You Pronounce Maria?
PronunciationMAH-ree-ah
Syllables3
What Is the History of the Name Maria?
- History
- The name Maria has been used in many cultures and historical contexts, often linked to religious figures, but its exact historical origins are varied and subject to interpretation.
Maria Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2012 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 2,887 | #87 |
| 2025 | Boys | 6 | #10,695 |
| 2024 | Girls | 3,122 | #74 |
| 2024 | Boys | 8 | #8,987 |
| 2023 | Girls | 2,907 | #82 |
| 2022 | Girls | 2,849 | #91 |
| 2021 | Girls | 2,604 | #105 |
| 2021 | Boys | 9 | #8,166 |
| 2020 | Girls | 2,493 | #109 |
| 2020 | Boys | 10 | #7,502 |
| 2019 | Girls | 2,717 | #106 |
| 2019 | Boys | 8 | #8,889 |
| 2018 | Girls | 2,621 | #115 |
| 2017 | Girls | 2,717 | #111 |
| 2017 | Boys | 5 | #12,246 |
| 2016 | Girls | 2,812 | #113 |
| 2016 | Boys | 7 | #9,664 |
| 2015 | Girls | 2,833 | #109 |
| 2015 | Boys | 6 | #10,644 |
| 2014 | Girls | 2,777 | #114 |
| 2014 | Boys | 6 | #10,717 |
| 2013 | Girls | 2,821 | #111 |
| 2013 | Boys | 5 | #12,136 |
| 2012 | Girls | 3,034 | #101 |
When Was Maria Most Popular?
Peak years are based on the highest recorded birth totals for this exact spelling and usage category. They are ordered by birth count, not chronologically.
1964 · Girls
10,148 recorded births
National rank #41
1963 · Girls
9,854 recorded births
National rank #43
1965 · Girls
9,480 recorded births
National rank #46
1966 · Girls
9,132 recorded births
National rank #44
Where Maria Ranked Highest in 2025
State rankings are calculated separately for girls and boys within each state. The SSA omits state-level names recorded fewer than five times, so low visible counts can still represent a relatively high state rank.
Top States for Girls
| State | Rank | Recorded Births |
|---|---|---|
| TX | #50 | 435 |
| DC | #51 | 12 |
| AZ | #56 | 85 |
| AL | #65 | 56 |
| NM | #69 | 17 |
| NE | #72 | 25 |
| CA | #74 | 372 |
| FL | #74 | 209 |