Mary Name Meaning, Origin and Popularity
Mary is predominantly used for girls. The statistics below show this exact spelling in official U.S. records.
How Do You Spell Mary?
Mary is spelled M-A-R-Y. The name has 4 letters.
Mary at a Glance
- Usage
- Predominantly used for girls
- Meaning
- Mary is commonly associated with the Hebrew name Miriam, which may mean “beloved” or “wished-for child.”
- Origin
- Mary is commonly associated with the Hebrew name Miriam, which appears in ancient texts including the Hebrew Bible.
- Pronunciation
- MAIR-ee · 2 syllables
Mary Popularity in 2025
Rank#125
Recorded Births2,230
- Girls usage rose 6 places to #125 and recorded 11 more 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 Mary Mean?
Mary is commonly associated with the Hebrew name Miriam, which may mean “beloved” or “wished-for child.”
Origin: Mary is commonly associated with the Hebrew name Miriam, which appears in ancient texts including the Hebrew Bible.
How Do You Pronounce Mary?
PronunciationMAIR-ee
Syllables2
What Is the History of the Name Mary?
- History
- The name Mary has been used in various cultures for centuries and is notably associated with significant religious figures in Christianity.
Mary Popularity by Year
The table below shows the most recent available records for this exact spelling from 2007 through 2025. Use the full history page to explore every recorded year.
| Year | Usage Category | Recorded Births | National Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Girls | 2,230 | #125 |
| 2024 | Girls | 2,219 | #131 |
| 2023 | Girls | 2,085 | #132 |
| 2022 | Girls | 2,119 | #134 |
| 2021 | Girls | 2,102 | #132 |
| 2020 | Girls | 2,230 | #123 |
| 2020 | Boys | 5 | #12,022 |
| 2019 | Girls | 2,241 | #126 |
| 2018 | Girls | 2,369 | #126 |
| 2017 | Girls | 2,425 | #126 |
| 2016 | Girls | 2,526 | #126 |
| 2015 | Girls | 2,642 | #123 |
| 2014 | Girls | 2,637 | #120 |
| 2014 | Boys | 5 | #12,108 |
| 2013 | Girls | 2,669 | #118 |
| 2012 | Girls | 2,587 | #121 |
| 2012 | Boys | 6 | #10,770 |
| 2011 | Girls | 2,715 | #112 |
| 2010 | Girls | 2,882 | #108 |
| 2010 | Boys | 5 | #12,231 |
| 2009 | Girls | 3,177 | #102 |
| 2008 | Girls | 3,514 | #96 |
| 2007 | Girls | 3,697 | #93 |
| 2007 | Boys | 10 | #7,590 |
When Was Mary 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.
1921 · Girls
73,984 recorded births
National rank #1
1924 · Girls
73,534 recorded births
National rank #1
1922 · Girls
72,177 recorded births
National rank #1
1947 · Girls
71,690 recorded births
National rank #2
Where Mary 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 |
|---|---|---|
| AL | #6 | 155 |
| MS | #6 | 71 |
| AR | #33 | 49 |
| LA | #47 | 62 |
| GA | #53 | 133 |
| SC | #54 | 63 |
| TN | #63 | 99 |
| MT | #71 | 12 |