Mary
Mary is a boy's name of Hebrew origin.
Meaning
Wished-for child, rebellious, or sea of bitterness.
Origin and history
Mary is historically derived from the Hebrew name Miryam, traditionally associated with meanings like 'wished-for child', 'rebellious', or 'bitter'. While overwhelmingly used as a female name, Mary has a long history of traditional use as a middle or given name for males in certain European cultures, particularly Catholic traditions. In the United States, its usage as a primary male given name was most common in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is very rare today.
Popularity in the United States
15,173 babies in the United States have been named Mary since 1880. It ranks #964 all-time. Among babies born since 2020 it ranks #1922.
States where it is most popular
- TX (10 %)
- NY (8.1 %)
- PA (6.9 %)
- NC (6 %)
- IL (5.9 %)
Trends by decade
| Decade | Births |
|---|---|
| 1880-1890 | 362 |
| 1890-1900 | 494 |
| 1900-1910 | 683 |
| 1910-1920 | 1,373 |
| 1920-1930 | 2,431 |
| 1930-1940 | 3,028 |
| 1940-1950 | 2,304 |
| 1950-1960 | 1,538 |
| 1960-1970 | 1,346 |
| 1970-1980 | 680 |
| 1980-1990 | 610 |
| 1990-2000 | 197 |
| 2000-2010 | 106 |
| 2010-2019 | 16 |
| 2020-2029 | 5 |
Nicknames
Mae
Fun facts
- In several European traditions, particularly French and Catholic custom, Marie or Mary was frequently given to boys as a secondary or primary name in honor of the Virgin Mary.
- In the United States, thousands of males were named Mary in the early 20th century, though the practice has declined significantly in modern times.