Latin form of Greek name “Μαρία”, originated from the Hebrew Miryam, the name of Moses’ sister in the Old Testament.
There are various sources of the name, from different words. For example, the aramaic “myrrh”, meaning bitter.
There is also a theory that it was first an Egyptian name, deriving from the word “mry”, meaning beloved.
In the Roman Empire Maria was the feminine form of the masculine name Marius.
The English form of Maria is Mary. It’s a given name in many different cultures around the world, from Africa to Indonesia, from Spain to Armenia and elsewhere.
Maria is also used as a middle male given name, mainly in some European countries.
Several characters of the New Testament bear this name, most importantly Mary the virgin mother of Jesus and Mary Magdalene.
Maria, or Mary, is one of the most popular names in the Christian world.
Two queens of England were named Maria and also the Queen of Scotland, Mary Queen of Scots.
There many variants of the name, such as Marie, Mary, Mariah, Malia, Mariam, Marietta, Mia, Mariella, Mariele, Mareike, Marika, Mimi, Myriam, Marion, Marianne, Mariska, Moira, Marzena, Molly, Marielle, Moyra, Marica, Mariazinha, etc.
The figure of Marianne is a national symbol of the French Republic, symbolizing liberty and reason. It’s an icon of freedom and democracy, opposed to monarchy and dictatorship.
Famous bearers are Maria Callas, Mary Shelley, Maria Sharapova, Maria Bello, Maria Menounos, Maria Kirilenko, Maria Valverde, Maria Schneider.
Maria is a popular name in Spain, Chile, Portugal, Greece, Poland, England and France.
Maria Callas was one of the most influential opera singers of all time.
Her intensely dramatic performances as well as her life outside the great opera houses had turned her into a cultural icon, often referred as “the ultimate diva”.