Mary is a

feminine Femininity (also called womanliness) is a set of attributes, behaviors, and roles generally associated with women and girls. Femininity can be understood as socially constructed, and there is also some evidence that some behaviors considered fe ...

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a fa ...

, the English form of the name Maria, which was in turn a

Latin Latin (, or , ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally a dialect spoken in the lower Tiber area (then known as Latium) around present-day Rome, but through the power of the ...

form of the Greek name grc, Μαρία, María, label=none or grc, Μαριάμ, Mariam, label=none, found in the

Septuagint The Greek Old Testament, or Septuagint (, ; from the la, septuaginta, lit=seventy; often abbreviated ''70''; in Roman numerals, LXX), is the earliest extant Greek translation of books from the Hebrew Bible. It includes several books beyond th ...

and

New Testament The New Testament grc, Ἡ Καινὴ Διαθήκη, transl. ; la, Novum Testamentum. (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Christ ...

. The latter reflects the original Hebrew pronunciation of the name (

Masoretic The Masoretic Text (MT or 𝕸; he, נֻסָּח הַמָּסוֹרָה, Nūssāḥ Hammāsōrā, lit. 'Text of the Tradition') is the authoritative Hebrew and Aramaic text of the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) in Rabbinic Judaism. ...

pronunciation ), as attested by the Septuagint. The vowel "a" in a closed unaccented syllable later became "i", as seen in other names such as "Bil'am" (

Balaam Balaam (; , Standard ''Bīlʿam'' Tiberian ''Bīlʿām'') is a diviner in the Torah (Pentateuch) whose story begins in Chapter 22 of the Book of Numbers (). Ancient references to Balaam consider him a non-Israelite, a prophet, and the son of Beo ...

) and "Shimshon" ( Samson).

Etymology

The name may have originated from the

Egyptian language The Egyptian language or Ancient Egyptian ( ) is a dead language, dead Afroasiatic languages, Afro-Asiatic language that was spoken in ancient Egypt. It is known today from a large Text corpus, corpus of surviving texts which were made acces ...

; it is likely derivative of the root , meaning "love; beloved"A. Maas
"The Name of Mary"
''

The Catholic Encyclopedia The ''Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline, and History of the Catholic Church'' (also referred to as the ''Old Catholic Encyclopedia'' and the ''Original Catholic Encyclopedia'') i ...

'' (1912), citing Fr. von Hummelauer (''in Exod. et Levit.'', Paris, 1897, p. 161) (compare , "Merit-Amun", i.e. "beloved of

Amun Amun (; also ''Amon'', ''Ammon'', ''Amen''; egy, jmn, reconstructed as (Old Egyptian and early Middle Egyptian) → (later Middle Egyptian) → (Late Egyptian), cop, Ⲁⲙⲟⲩⲛ, Amoun) romanized: ʾmn) was a major ancient Egyptian ...

"). The name was early etymologized as containing the Hebrew root , meaning "bitter" (cf.

myrrh Myrrh (; from Semitic, but see '' § Etymology'') is a gum-resin extracted from a number of small, thorny tree species of the genus ''Commiphora''. Myrrh resin has been used throughout history as a perfume, incense and medicine. Myrrh mi ...

), or , meaning "rebellious". St. Jerome (writing ), following

Eusebius of Caesarea Eusebius of Caesarea (; grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος ; 260/265 – 30 May 339), also known as Eusebius Pamphilus (from the grc-gre, Εὐσέβιος τοῦ Παμφίλου), was a Greek historian of Christianity, exegete, and Christia ...

, translates the name as "drop of the sea" ( in

), from the Hebrew hbo, מר, mar, drop, label=none (cf. Isaiah 40:15) and hbo, ים, yam, sea, label=none. This translation was subsequently rendered ("star of the sea") due to

scribal error A typographical error (often shortened to typo), also called a misprint, is a mistake (such as a spelling mistake) made in the typing of printed (or electronic) material. Historically, this referred to mistakes in manual type-setting (typography). ...

, whence Our Lady's title Star of the Sea.

Rashi Shlomo Yitzchaki ( he, רבי שלמה יצחקי; la, Salomon Isaacides; french: Salomon de Troyes, 22 February 1040 – 13 July 1105), today generally known by the acronym Rashi (see below), was a medieval French rabbi and author of a compre ...

, an 11th-century Jewish commentator on the Bible, wrote that the name was given to the sister of Moses because of the Egyptians' harsh treatment of Jews in Egypt. Rashi wrote that the Israelites lived in Egypt for 210 years, including 86 years of cruel enslavement that began at the time Moses' elder sister was born. Therefore, the girl was called Miriam, because the Egyptians made life bitter ( hbo, מַר, mar, label=none) for her people.

Usage

Possible use of ''Maria'' as a

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

given name is recorded for the third century. The English form ''Mary'' arises by adoption of French into

Middle English Middle English (abbreviated to ME) is a form of the English language that was spoken after the Norman conquest of 1066, until the late 15th century. The English language underwent distinct variations and developments following the Old English p ...

Wycliffe's Bible Wycliffe's Bible is the name now given to a group of Bible translations into Middle English that were made under the direction of English theologian John Wycliffe. They appeared over a period from approximately 1382 to 1395. These Bible translati ...

still has ''Marie'', with the modern spelling current from the 16th century, found in the

Tyndale Bible The Tyndale Bible generally refers to the body of Bible translations, biblical translations by William Tyndale into Early Modern English, made . Tyndale's Bible is credited with being the first Bible translation in the English language to work ...

(1525),

Coverdale Bible The Coverdale Bible, compiled by Myles Coverdale and published in 1535, was the first complete Modern English translation of the Bible (not just the Old Testament or New Testament), and the first complete printed translation into English (cf. Wyc ...

(1535) and later translations. The name ''Maria'' was also given in Great Britain, with the traditional pronunciation of (occasionally reflected in the spelling variant '' Mariah''). Mary is still among the top 100 names for baby girls born in Ireland, common amongst Christians there and also popularised amongst Protestants specifically, with regard to

Queen Mary II Mary II (30 April 166228 December 1694) was Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland, co-reigning with her husband, William III & II, from 1689 until her death in 1694. Mary was the eldest daughter of James, Duke of York, and his first wife A ...

, co-monarch and wife of

William III William III or William the Third may refer to: Kings * William III of Sicily (c. 1186–c. 1198) * William III of England and Ireland or William III of Orange or William II of Scotland (1650–1702) * William III of the Netherlands and Luxembourg ...

. Mary was the 179th most popular name for girls born in England and Wales in 2007, ranking behind other versions of the name. In the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

, ''Mary'' was consistently the most popular name for girls from 1880 until 1961. It first fell below the top 100 most popular names in 2009. By contrast, the latinate (especially Spanish) form rose into the top 100 in 1944, peaking at rank 31 in the 1970s, but also falling below rank 100 once again in 2012. The name Mary remains more popular in the

Southern United States The Southern United States (sometimes Dixie, also referred to as the Southern States, the American South, the Southland, or simply the South) is a geographic and cultural region of the United States of America. It is between the Atlantic Ocean ...

than elsewhere in the country. Mary was the 15th most popular name for girls born in

Alabama (We dare defend our rights) , anthem = "Alabama (state song), Alabama" , image_map = Alabama in United States.svg , seat = Montgomery, Alabama, Montgomery , LargestCity = Huntsville, Alabama, Huntsville , LargestCounty = Baldwin County, Al ...

in 2007, the 22nd most popular name for girls born in

Mississippi Mississippi () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States, bordered to the north by Tennessee; to the east by Alabama; to the south by the Gulf of Mexico; to the southwest by Louisiana; and to the northwest by Arkansas. Miss ...

in 2007, the 44th most popular name for girls in

North Carolina North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...

, the 33rd most popular name for girls in

South Carolina )''Animis opibusque parati'' ( for, , Latin, Prepared in mind and resources, links=no) , anthem = " Carolina";" South Carolina On My Mind" , Former = Province of South Carolina , seat = Columbia , LargestCity = Charleston , LargestMetro = ...

, and the 26th most popular name for girls in

Tennessee Tennessee ( , ), officially the State of Tennessee, is a landlocked state in the Southeastern region of the United States. Tennessee is the 36th-largest by area and the 15th-most populous of the 50 states. It is bordered by Kentucky to th ...

. Mary was still the most common name for women and girls in the United States in the 1990 census. '' Mariah'' had a short-lived burst of popularity after 1990, when singer

Mariah Carey Mariah Carey (; born March 27, 1969) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and record producer. Referred to as the " Songbird Supreme", she is noted for her five-octave vocal range, melismatic singing style and signature use of the whi ...

first topped the charts, peaking at rank 62 in 1998. '' Molly'', a pet form, was ranked as the 29th most popular name there and spelling variant Mollie at No. 107; Maria was ranked at No. 93; Maryam was ranked at No. 116 as of 2007.Baby Planners
/ref>

People

Biblical figures

* New Testament people named Mary: **

Mary, mother of Jesus Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jews, Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Saint Joseph, Jose ...

Mary Magdalene Mary Magdalene (sometimes called Mary of Magdala, or simply the Magdalene or the Madeleine) was a woman who, according to the four canonical gospels, traveled with Jesus as one of his followers and was a witness to crucifixion of Jesus, his cru ...

, a disciple of Jesus ** Mary of Bethany, a follower of Jesus, considered by Western medieval tradition to be Mary Magdalene **

Mary of Clopas According to the Gospel of John, Mary of Clopas ( grc, Μαρία ἡ τοῦ Κλωπᾶ, ''María hē tou Clōpá'') was one of the women present at the crucifixion of Jesus and bringing supplies for his funeral. The expression ''Mary of Clop ...

, a follower of Jesus ** Mary, mother of James the younger (or lesser) **

Mary, mother of John Mark Mary, mother of John Mark is mentioned in the Acts 12:12, which says that, after his escape from prison, Peter went to her house: "When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were ...

Mary of Rome Mary of Rome was a 1st century Christian woman mentioned in Paul the Apostle's Epistle to the Romans (16:6). She is said to have treated Paul with special kindness, and to have "laboured much among" the early Christian community. Although it has be ...

Salome (disciple) In the New Testament, Salome was a follower of Jesus who appears briefly in the canonical gospels and in apocryphal writings. She is named by Mark as present at the crucifixion and as one of the Myrrhbearers, the women who found Jesus's empty ...

, a follower of Jesus, in medieval tradition Mary Salome

Royalty

Mary of Woodstock Mary of Woodstock (11 March 1278 – before 8 July 1332) was the seventh named daughter of Edward I of England and Eleanor of Castile. She was a nun at Amesbury Priory, but lived very comfortably thanks to a generous allowance from her parents. ...

(1278–1332), daughter of King Edward I of England *

Mary, Queen of Hungary Mary, also known as Maria of Anjou (, , ; 137117 May 1395), reigned as Queen of Hungary and Croatia (officially 'king') between 1382 and 1385, and from 1386 until her death. She was the daughter of Louis the Great, King of Hungary and Poland, ...

(1371–1395), Queen of Hungary and Croatia, daughter of Louis I the Great of Hungary * Mary Tudor, Queen of France (1496–1533), daughter of Henry VII of England *

Mary of Guise Mary of Guise (french: Marie de Guise; 22 November 1515 – 11 June 1560), also called Mary of Lorraine, was a French noblewoman of the House of Guise, a cadet branch of the House of Lorraine and one of the most powerful families in France. She ...

(1515–1560), Queen Consort of James V of Scotland and mother of Mary, Queen of Scots *

Mary I of England Mary I (18 February 1516 – 17 November 1558), also known as Mary Tudor, and as "Bloody Mary" by her Protestant opponents, was Queen of England and Ireland from July 1553 and Queen of Spain from January 1556 until her death in 1558. Sh ...

(1516–1558) *

Mary, Queen of Scots Mary, Queen of Scots (8 December 1542 – 8 February 1587), also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland, was Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until her forced abdication in 1567. The only surviving legitimate child of James V of Scot ...

(1542–1587), mother of James I of England *

Princess Mary of England (1605–1607) Princess is a regal rank and the feminine equivalent of prince (from Latin ''princeps'', meaning wiktionary:principal, principal citizen). Most often, the term has been used for the consort of a prince, or for the daughter of a king or prince. ...

, daughter of James VI and I * Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange (1631–1660), daughter of Charles I of England *

Mary of Modena Mary of Modena ( it, Maria Beatrice Eleonora Anna Margherita Isabella d'Este; ) was Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland as the second wife of James II and VII. A devout Roman Catholic, Mary married the widower James, who was then the young ...

(1658–1718), Queen Consort of King James II of England and VII of Scotland *

Queen Mary II of England Mary II (30 April 166228 December 1694) was Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland, co-reigning with her husband, William III & II, from 1689 until her death in 1694. Mary was the eldest daughter of James, Duke of York, and his first wife A ...

(1662–1694), daughter of James VII and II, Queen of England, Scotland and Ireland, wife of King William III and joint ruler with him * Princess Mary of Great Britain (1723–1772), daughter of George II of Great Britain * Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1776–1857), daughter of George III of the United Kingdom * Princess Mary Adelaide of Cambridge (1833–1897), granddaughter of George III of the United Kingdom *

Mary of Teck Mary of Teck (Victoria Mary Augusta Louise Olga Pauline Claudine Agnes; 26 May 186724 March 1953) was List of British royal consorts, Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Empress of India, from 6 May 1910 until 20 Janua ...

(1867–1953), Queen Consort of King George V of the United Kingdom *

Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood (Victoria Alexandra Alice Mary; 25 April 1897 – 28 March 1965), was a member of the British royal family. She was the only daughter of King George V and Queen Mary, the sister of Kings Edward VIII ...

(1897–1965), daughter of George V of the United Kingdom *

Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark, Countess of Monpezat, (born Mary Elizabeth Donaldson; 5 February 1972) is the wife of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark. Frederik is the heir apparent to the throne, which means that should he succeed, Mary ...

(born 1972), Australian-born wife of Frederik, Crown Prince of Denmark

Non-royal aristocrats

Mary, Countess of Blois Mary, Countess of Blois, also known as ''Marie of Avesnes'', (1200–1241) was countess of Blois from 1230 to 1241. She was the daughter of Walter of Avesnes and Margaret of Blois.(FR)Henri Platelle, ''Présence de l'au-delà: une vision médiéva ...

(1200–1241), daughter of Walter of Avesnes and Margaret of Blois *

Mary of Guelders Mary of Guelders (; c. 1434/1435 – 1 December 1463) was Queen of Scotland by marriage to King James II of Scotland. She ruled as regent of Scotland from 1460 to 1463. Background She was the daughter of Arnold, Duke of Guelders, and Cath ...

(), daughter of Arnold, Duke of Guelders * Mary of Burgundy (1457–1482), daughter of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy

Others

* Mary (slave) (died 1838), an American teenage slave executed for murder *

Mary Abbott (artist) Mary Lee Abbott (July 27, 1921 – August 23, 2019) was an American artist, known as a member of the New York School of abstract expressionists in the late 1940s and 1950s. Her abstract and figurative work were also influenced by her time s ...

(1921–2019), American artist *

Mary Abbott (golfer) Mary Perkins Ives Abbott (October 17, 1857 in Salem, Massachusetts – February 9, 1904 in Miami, Florida) was an American writer, golfer, reviewer and novelist. After marrying Charles Abbott, Mary moved to Calcutta, India (now Kolkata) with him. ...

(1857–1904), American golfer *

Mary Bethune Abbott Mary Martha Berthune, Lady Abbott (October 17, 1823 – February 25, 1898) was the wife of Sir John Abbott, the third Prime Minister of Canada. Family Bethune was the daughter of Anglican clergyman and McGill acting president John Bethune. She ...

(1823–1898), wife of Sir John Abbott, the third Prime Minister of Canada * Mary Ogden Abbott (1894–1981), American artist, traveler and equestrian *

Mary Adams (activist) Mary G. Adams (born 1938) is an American tax activist from Maine. Adams successfully led the effort to repeal Maine's statewide property tax in the mid-1970s. She led a failed 2006 referendum effort to enact a Taxpayer Bill of Rights in the state ...

(born 1938), tax activist who led the repeal of Maine's statewide property tax and efforts to enact a Taxpayer Bill of Rights *

Mary Adams (actress) Mary Marguerite Adams aka June Mary Adams (1910–1973) was an American actress. She is best known as a television character actor from the 1950s. She was a regular, usually cast as a dowdy nurse or wife, and is best remembered as the day nurse ...

(1910–1973), American actress *

Mary Adams (broadcaster) Mary Grace Agnes Adams (''née'' Campin; 10 March 1898 – 15 May 1984) was an English television producer, programme director and administrator who worked for the BBC. She was instrumental in setting up the BBC's television service both before a ...

(1898–1984), administrator who helped to develop the BBC's television service in the 1950s *

Mary Adams (codebreaker) Mary Adams (née Ritchie) (3 November 1922 – 12 July 2010) was a Scottish interceptor for Bletchley Park during World War II. Adams was born in Montrose, Angus, Montrose, Scotland to Maggie and John Ritchie. Her father was a railway foreman. ...

(codebreaker, 1922–2010), Scottish interceptor for Bletchley Park during World War II * Mary Adams (educator) (1823–1898), Canadian women's education reformer *

Mary Jane Adams Mary Mathews Adams (previously, Mary Mathews Smith and Mary Mathews Barnes; October 23, 1840 – December 11, 1902) was an Irish-born American writer and philanthropist. The author of thirty or more hymns, it was her Shakespearian study in which ...

(1840–1902), Irish poet *

Mary Kay Adams Mary Kay Adams (born September 12, 1962) is an American actress known for her roles in television. In a career that spanned from the mid-1980s to 2000, she had several roles on daytime television. Her most high profile role was as jet-setting ...

(born 1962), American television actress * Mary Kawennatakie Adams (1917–1999), First Nations basketmaker * Mary Newbury Adams (1837–1901), American women's suffragist and education advocate– *

Mary Ajami Mary Ajami (Arabic: ماري عجمي) (1888 – December 25, 1965) was a Syrian feminist and pioneering Arabic-language writer who launched the first women's periodical in Western Asia and North Africa called ''Al Arus'' (Arabic: the Bride). Bio ...

(1888–1965), Syrian writer * Mary Baker (1842–1856), English painter * Mary Ann Baker (1831–1921), American composer and singer *

Mary E. Baker Mary E. Baker (1923–1995) was a notable African-American community activist and leader in Brockton, Massachusetts. History Mary E. Baker was the first African-American to work at Brockton City Hall. She was a 1941 graduate of Brockton High Scho ...

(1923–1995), African-American community activist *

Mary Landon Baker Mary Landon Baker (b. August 15, 1901; died 1961) was a rich American socialite and heiress famous for her romantic life. Newspapers worldwide covered her love life with Allister McCormick, whom she repeatedly left at the altar in the early 1920s. ...

(1901–1961), American socialite and heiress famous for her romantic life * Mary Lou Baker (1914–1965), member of the Florida House of Representatives and women's rights activist * Bonnie Baker (baseball) (Mary Geraldine Baker, 1918–2003), American baseball player * Mary Beard (classicist) (born 1955), English scholar of Ancient Rome *

Mary Ritter Beard Mary Ritter Beard (August 5, 1876 – August 14, 1958) was an American historian, author, women's suffrage activist, and women's history archivist who was also a lifelong advocate of social justice. As a Progressive Era reformer, Beard was a ...

(1876–1958), American historian, author, women's suffrage activist, and women's history archivist *

Mary Lincoln Beckwith Mary Lincoln Beckwith (August 22, 1898 – July 10, 1975) was a prominent descendant of Abraham Lincoln. Beckwith was one of the last two descendants of Abraham Lincoln, along with her younger brother Robert. Early life Beckwith was born to ...

(1898–1975), prominent descendant of Abraham Lincoln *

Mary Kay Bergman Mary Kay Bergman (June 5, 1961 – November 11, 1999), also credited as Shannen Cassidy, was an American voice actress and voice-over teacher. She was the lead female voice actress on ''South Park'' from the show's 1997 debut until her death. Thr ...

(1961–1999), American voice actress *

Mary E. Black Mary Ellouise Black (September 18, 1895 – February 11, 1988), an occupational therapist, teacher, master weaver and writer, created almost single-handedly a renaissance in crafts in Nova Scotia in the 1940s and 1950s. Her best-known book, ''The ...

(1895–1988), American-Canadian occupational therapist, teacher, master weaver and writer *

Mary Bright Mary Bright (11 January 1954 – 29 November 2002) was a Scottish curtain designer. She began her career doing a short apprenticeship at Paris' Lanvin fashion house. In 1979, Bright relocated to New York City and worked as a hat maker as well as ...

(1954–2002), Scottish curtain designer *

Mary Lee Cagle Mary Lee (Harris) Cagle (12 September 1864 – 1955), sometimes called the Mother of Holiness in West Texas, was one of the first influential women and pastors in the early Church of the Nazarene. She was first married to the Rev. Robert Lee Harris ...

(1864–1955), married name Mary Harris, pastor *

Mary Carey, Lady Carey Mary, Lady Carey (''née'' Jackson, later Peyler; ) was the author of poems and meditations. Mary Carey was the daughter of Sir John Jackson. She married Pelham Carey, son of Henry, 4th Lord Hunsdon (whom King James I had created Viscount Rochfo ...

(), author and poet *

Mary L. Coloe Sister Mary Coloe (born 1949) is an Australian religious sister and New Testament biblical scholar who specializes in the Gospel of John. She is a member of the Sisters of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, a Roman Catholic religious order ...

(born 1949), biblical scholar * Mary Costa (born 1930), American opera singer and actress * Mary Lincoln Crume (1775–), aunt of American President Abraham Lincoln * Moll Davis (), actress and mistress of Charles II of Great Britain *

Mary Davis (actress) Mary Isabel Gunnis Davis (born 1870 in London, England–Died 15 July 1944 in San Bernardino) was a British-born American silent film actress. She was married to J. Gunnis Davis. Motion pictures She made her début in Hollywood with a role i ...

, American silent film actress *

Mary Davis (artist) Mary Davis, Lady Davis (née Halford; 22 March 1866 – 30 October 1941) was a British artist known as a designer and painter of fans. Biography Davis was born in London and studied art at the Ridley Art School. She exhibited land ...

(1866–1941), English artist *

Mary E. P. Davis Mary E. P. Davis (1840–1924) was a Canadian-born American nursing instructor and a founder of the ''American Journal of Nursing'' (''AJN''). Biography Davis, along with Sophia French Palmer, created the ''AJN'' in 1899, with the first issue g ...

(1840–1924), American nursing instructor *

Mary Davis (activist) Mary Anne Davis (''née'' Rooney; born 6 August 1954) is an Irish social entrepreneur, activist and long-term campaigner for the rights and inclusion of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. She has been the chief executive officer ...

(born 1954), Special Olympics organiser and candidate in the Irish presidential election, 2011 *

Mary Bond Davis Mary Bond Davis (born June 3, 1958) is a singer, actor, and dancer from Los Angeles, California. She is best known for her performance as Motormouth Maybelle in the 2002 Broadway run of Hairspray (musical), Hairpsray. Biography Davis began her ...

(born 1958), American singer, actor and dancer *

Mary Gould Davis Mary Gould Davis (February 13, 1882 – April 15, 1956) was an American author, librarian, storyteller and editor. She received a Newbery Honor. Early and personal life Davis was born on February 13, 1882, in Bangor, Maine. She moved to Middle ...

(1882–1956), American author, librarian, storyteller and editor *

Mary Lund Davis Mary Lund Davis (1922–2008) was a 20th-century modern architect of the Pacific Northwest and one of the few women to graduate from the University of Washington College of Built Environments, University of Washington School of Architecture in the ...

(1922–2008), modernist architect * Mary Davis, singer of

the S.O.S. Band The S.O.S. Band (sometimes written as S.O.S. Band; abbreviation for Sounds of Success) is an American Contemporary R&B, R&B and Boogie (genre), electro-funk musical ensemble, group who gained fame in the 1980s. They are best known for the songs ...

* Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910), born Mary Baker, founder of

Christian Science Christian Science is a set of beliefs and practices associated with members of the Church of Christ, Scientist. Adherents are commonly known as Christian Scientists or students of Christian Science, and the church is sometimes informally know ...

Mary Fuller Mary Claire Fuller (October 5, 1888 – December 9, 1973) was an American actress active in both stage and silent films. She also was a screenwriter and had several films produced. An early major star, by 1917 she could no longer gain roles ...

(1888–1973), American Silent Film Actress * Mary Fuller (sculptor) (1922–2022), American sculptor and art historian * Mimi Gardner Gates (born 1943), American art historian who is the recent director of the Seattle Art Museum, stepmother of Bill Gates *

Mary Maxwell Gates Mary Ann Maxwell Gates (; July 5, 1929 – June 10, 1994) was an American businesswoman, executive, civic activist, and school teacher. She was the first female president of King County's United Way, the first woman to chair the national Unite ...

(1929–1994), American businesswoman, executive, civic activist, and school teacher, mother of Bill Gates *

Mary Gennoy Mary Elaine Gennoy (June 11, 1951 – September 5, 2004) was an American activist for LGBT rights, disability rights, and marijuana legalization, based in San Francisco. Early life and education Gennoy was from Alameda, California, the daughter ...

(1951–2004), American activist *

Mary Grant (politician) Mary Grant (6 August 1928 – 18 September 2016) was a Ghanaian physician and politician. She was Ghana's first Council of State (Ghana), Council of State member and also the first Wesley Girls' Senior High School, Wesley Girls High School alumna ...

(1928–2016), Ghanaian politician *

Mary Grant (sculptor) Mary Grant (1831–1908) was one of the most eminent female sculptors of 19th century Britain, with numerous commissions from the rich and famous. Life Grant was born in 1831 in Kilgraston House in Perthshire, into a very well-connected famil ...

(1831–1908), British sculptor * Mary E. Grant (born 1953), American psychiatric nurse and politician *

Mary Pollock Grant Mary Pollock Grant (2 December 1876 - August 1957), also known as Marion Pollock, was a Scottish suffragette,A Guid Cause: The Women's Suffrage Movement in Scotland, by Leah Leneman (1991) Liberal Party politician, missionary and policewoman. ...

(1876–1957), Scottish suffragette, politician, missionary and policewoman *

Liz Grant Mary Elizabeth Grant AM (born 23 February 1930) is a former Australian pharmacist and politician. Grant was a Liberal member of the Australian Capital Territory House of Assembly for Canberra from 1979 to 1982. Following the loss of her seat s ...

(Mary Elizabeth Grant, born 1930), former Australian pharmacist and politician *

Mary Styles Harris Mary Styles Harris (born June 26, 1949) is an American biologist and geneticist, president of Harris & Associates in Atlanta, Georgia, and owner of BioTechnical Communications, which produced the television documentary "To My Sister...A Gift for ...

(born 1949), geneticist *

Mel Harris Mary Ellen "Mel" Harris is an American actress best known for her role as Hope Murdoch Steadman in the ABC drama series ''Thirtysomething'' (1987–1991), for which she received a Golden Globe nomination in 1990. Early life and education Har ...

(Mary Ellen Harris, born 1956), actress *

Mary Harris (musician) Mary Harris is an American keyboardist, singer, songwriter, arranger, and producer. She is currently appearing on stage as a member of the five-time Grammy Award nominated band Ambrosia. Harris, as a member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Ban ...

, member of the music group Ambrosia *

Mary Packer Harris Mary Packer Harris D.A. (Edin.) (30 July 1891 – 26 August 1978) was a Scottish artist and art teacher with a considerable career in South Australia. History Mary was born in Middlesbrough, Yorkshire the only daughter of musician and beekeepe ...

(1891–1978), Scottish artist and art teacher *

Mary Harris (cricketer) Mary Winifred Harris was the thirteenth Clerk of the New Zealand House of Representatives ("Clerk of the House"). She was appointed Clerk of the House on 10 December 2007, following the resignation of David Graham McGee. She served as Clerk of ...

, New Zealand cricketer *

Mary Johnson Harris Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also calle ...

(born 1963), member of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education * Mary Winifred Harris, Clerk of the New Zealand House of Representatives *

Mary Harris (murderer) Mary Harris was an American woman who murdered Adoniram Burroughs. Her trial marked the "first time in a U.S. court-room that expert medical testimony supported a plea of paroxysmal emporary insanity in a murder defense." Biography Mary Harris ...

, American murderer * Mary Harron (b. 1953), Canadian film director and screenwriter *

Mary Harron (actress) ''Hearts of the World'' (also known as ''Love's Struggle'') is a 1918 American silent World War I propaganda film written, produced and directed by D. W. Griffith. In an effort to change the American public's neutral stance regarding the war, ...

, silent film era actress, sister of Harrons John and Robert also silent era actors *

Mary Henderson (journalist) Mary Xenia Henderson, Lady Henderson (''née'' Cawadias; 29 March 1919 – 22 January 2004) was a Greek-born British journalist and host. She worked as a nurse during the Second World War and went on to be a journalist for both the magazines ''Li ...

(1919–2004), Greek-born British journalist and host *

Mary H. J. Henderson Mary H J Henderson (born 1874 – 6 November 1938) was an administrator with Elsie Inglis's Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service in the Balkans in World War I, earning five medals. She founded social work and civic groups led by women, ...

(1874–1938), administrator with World War I

Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service The Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Services (SWH) was founded in 1914. It was led by Dr. Elsie Inglis and provided nurses, doctors, ambulance drivers, cooks and orderlies. By the end of World War I, 14 medical units had been outfitted and ...

Mary Dorothea Heron (Mary) Dorothea Heron (19 August 1896 9 October 1960), was the first woman to be admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in Ireland. Biography Mary Dorothea Heron was born in County Dublin on 19 August 1896. Her father, James Heron, was the county ...

(), first woman to be admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in Ireland *

Mary MacLean Hindmarsh Mary MacLean Hindmarsh (21 July 1921 – 10 April 2000) was an Australian botanist who worked at the New South Wales University of Technology in Ultimo as a professor of biology. A graduate of the University of New England in Armidale and the ...

, Australian botanist *

Mary Hinton (actress) Mary Hinton (1896–1979) was a British stage, film and television actress. She was born as Emily Rachel Forster to the politician Henry Forster, 1st Baron Forster and the Honourable Rachel Cecily Douglas-Scott-Montagu, daughter of Henry Douglas- ...

(1896–1979), British actress *

Mary Dana Hinton Mary Dana Hinton is an American academic and university administrator. She served as the President of the College of Saint Benedict from 2014 to 2020, and was appointed as the president of Hollins University in August 2020. She is the first Africa ...

, American university administrator *

Mary Hilliard Hinton Mary Hilliard Hinton (June 7, 1869 – January 6, 1961) was an American painter, historian, clubwoman, and anti-suffragist. She was a leader in North Carolina's Anti-suffragism, anti-suffragist movement and an outspoken white supremacist, co-fou ...

(1869–1961), American historian, painter, and anti-suffragist *

Sister Mary Melanie Holliday Sister Mary Melanie Holliday (born Martha Ann "Mattie" Holliday; December 14, 1850 - April 19, 1939) was an American Catholic nun. As a member of the Sisters of Mercy, she served as Mother Superior at the Convent and Academy of St. Vincent de P ...

(1850–1939), American Catholic nun *

Mary Hottinger Marie (Mary) Donald Hottinger, née ''Mackie'' (20 June 1893, Liverpool – 6 December 1978, Zurich), was a Scottish translator and editor. In the German-speaking world she is primarily known as the editor of various anthologies of crime, ghost ...

(1893–1978), Scottish translator and author * Mary Ingalls (1865–1928), older sister of author

Laura Ingalls Wilder Laura Elizabeth Ingalls Wilder (February 7, 1867 – February 10, 1957) was an American writer, mostly known for the ''Little House on the Prairie'' series of children's books, published between 1932 and 1943, which were based on her childhood ...

* Mary E. Ireland (1834–1927), American author, translator, poet *

Mamie Lincoln Isham Mary Todd "Mamie" Lincoln Isham (October 15, 1869 – November 21, 1938) was a granddaughter of Abraham Lincoln, the first daughter of Robert Todd Lincoln and the mother of Lincoln Isham. Early life Mamie was born Mary Todd Lincoln to Mary Eunic ...

(1869–1938), granddaughter of Abraham Lincoln * Mary Jackson (Richmond Bread Riot) (), leader of Richmond Bread Riot of 1863 *

Mary Anna Jackson Mary Anna Morrison Jackson (July 21, 1831 – March 24, 1915) was the second wife, and subsequently widow, of Confederate Army general Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson. She was widely known as the "Widow of the Confederacy" for the next 50 years. ...

(1831–1915), wife of Confederate Army general Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson * Mary E. Jackson (1867–1923), African-American suffrage activist, YWCA leader and writer * Mary Percy Jackson (1904–2000), Canadian medical doctor *

Mary Jackson (actress) Mary Jackson (November 22, 1910 – December 10, 2005) was an American character actress whose nearly fifty-year career began in 1950 and was spent almost entirely in television. She is best known for the role of the lovelorn Emily Baldwin in '' ...

(1910–2005), film and television actress *

Mary Jackson (engineer) Mary Jackson ( née Winston; April 9, 1921 – February 11, 2005) was an American mathematician and aerospace engineer at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), which in 1958 was succeeded by the National Aeronautics and S ...

(1921–2005), NASA engineer * Mary Ann Jackson (1923–2003), child actress *

Mary Jackson (artist) Mary Jackson (born 1945) is an African American fiber artist. She is best known for her sweetgrass basket weaving using traditional methods combined with contemporary designs. A native of coastal South Carolina and a descendant of generations of ...

(born 1945), African-American fiber artist * Mary M. Jackson ( 1980s–2010s), American Navy vice admiral *

Mary Jemison Mary Jemison (''Deh-he-wä-nis'') (1743 – September 19, 1833) was a Scots-Irish colonial frontierswoman in Pennsylvania and New York, who became known as the "White Woman of the Genesee." As a young girl she was captured and adopted into a Sen ...

(1743–1833), British frontierswoman * Mary Johnson (first lady) (), first lady of California *

Mary Johnson (actress) Mary Johnson (born Astrid Maria Carlsson; 11 May 1896 – 15 May 1975) was a Swedish film actress of the silent era. Biography Astrid Maria Carlsson was born in Fors parish, Södermanland, Sweden. She debuted in the 1910s in the theater compan ...

(1896–1975), Swedish silent film performer *

Mary Johnson (singer) Mary Johnson (March 29, 1898 or 1900 – July 20, 1983) was an American classic female blues singer, accordionist and songwriter. Her most noted tracks are "Dream Daddy Blues" and "Western Union Blues." She wrote several of the songs she recorde ...

(1898–1983), African American lowdown blues singer * Mary Johnson (cricketer) (born 1924), English cricketer * Mary Lea Johnson (1926–1990), American theatrical producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist * Mary Johnson (activist) (born 1948), American advocate for disability rights; founded '' Ragged Edge'' magazine *

Mary Johnson (writer) Mary Johnson is a writer and director of A Room of Her Own Foundation. She worked and served with the Missionaries of Charity, the order of nuns founded by Mother Teresa, for twenty years before leaving the order. She is now a writer and a public s ...

(born 1958), American writer and Director of ''A Room of Her Own Foundation'' * Mary Johnson (politician), member of the North Dakota House of Representatives *

Mary C. Johnson Mary Campbell Johnson was one of the first three females to practice law in Georgia. Johnson was born around 1880 in New York. She was married to Minton Rollingsworth Johnson, who worked as a customs collector at the port of Brunswick. They both s ...

, one of the first three females to practice law in Georgia * Mary Jane Richardson Jones, American suffragist and activist from Chicago * Mary Lee (born 1921), Scottish singer *

Mary Johnson Bailey Lincoln Mary Johnson Bailey Lincoln (July 8, 1844 – December 2, 1921) was an influential Boston cooking teacher and cookbook author. She used Mrs. D.A. Lincoln as her professional name during her husband's lifetime and in her published works; after ...

(1844–1921), American science teacher *

Mary Harlan Lincoln Mary Harlan Lincoln ( Mary Eunice Harlan; September 25, 1846 – March 31, 1937) was the daughter of United States Senator James Harlan and the wife of Robert Todd Lincoln. Life and family The eldest child of James Harlan and Ann Eli ...

(1846–1937), daughter of James Harlan, wife of Robert Todd Lincoln, daughter-in-law of Abraham Lincoln * Mary Todd Lincoln (1818–1882), former First Lady of the United States, wife of Abraham Lincoln *

Mary Johnson Lowe Mary Johnson Lowe (June 10, 1924 – February 27, 1999) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Education and career Born in New York City, Lowe received a Bachelor of Arts d ...

(1924–1999), American jurist *

Mary Martin Mary Virginia Martin (December 1, 1913 – November 3, 1990) was an American actress and singer. A muse of Rodgers and Hammerstein, she originated many leading roles on stage over her career, including Nellie Forbush in '' South Pacific'' (194 ...

(1913–1990), American actress and singer *

Mary Baker McQuesten Mary Baker McQuesten (October 10, 1849 – December 7, 1934) was a Victorian-era Canadian letter writer and activist. She was the mother of politician Thomas McQuesten. Biography McQuesten was born Mary Jane Baker on October 10, 1849 in Brantfo ...

(1849–1934), Canadian activist * Maybelle Stephens Mitchell (Mary Isabel Stephens Mitchell; 1872–1919), American suffragist *

Mary Morton Mary Morton (21 March 1879 – 15 June 1965) was a British sculptor. Early life and education Morton was born in Stroud, England on 21 March 1879. Her father was George Morton, a surgeon who was born around 1839 in the East Indies. She a ...

(1879–1965), British sculptor *

Mary K. Okheena Mary Kapbak Okheena (also goes by Memorana, Krappak, Kappak) is an Inuvialuit graphic artist known for her stencil prints including "Musk-ox Waiting for the Tide to Cross Water" (1986) and "Shaman Dances to Northern Lights" (1991), drawings and e ...

(born 1957), Inuvialuit graphic artist *

Mary-Kate Olsen Mary-Kate Olsen (born June 13, 1986) is an American businesswoman, fashion designer, equestrian, and former actress. She began her acting career nine months after her birth, sharing the role of Michelle Tanner with her twin sister Ashley Olsen ...

(born 1986), American fashion designer and former child actress *

Mary Paischeff Mary Paischeff (6 August 1899 — 7 November 1975) was a Finnish ballet dancer, notable for being the first contracted dancer of the ballet section of the Opera of Finland (later to become the Finnish National Ballet), as well as the company's f ...

(1899–1975), Finnish ballerina * Mary Felicia Perera (born 1944), Sri Lankan Sinhala cinema actress *

Mary Pudlat Mary Pudlat ;) (1923–2001) was a Canadian Inuk artist. She was born in Puvirnituq, Quebec, and married a Samuelie Pudlat in 1943 on Baffin Island. They were semi-nomadic before settling down in Cape Dorset in 1963. Pudlat began to draw and scu ...

(1923–2001), Canadian Inuk artist * Mary Quigley (1960–1977), American murder victim *

Mary Quin Mary Quin is the former chief executive at Callaghan Innovation, was an executive at Xerox in New York City, and a dual citizen of the United States and New Zealand. In 1998, while traveling in Yemen her tourist group was kidnapped and four tou ...

, American businesswoman *

Mary Rambaran-Olm Mary Rambaran-Olm is a literary scholar specializing in early medieval England from the fifth to eleventh centuries. Early life and education Rambaran-Olm was born and raised in Canada, and is of Afro-Indo-Caribbean descent. In an interview w ...

, specialist in the literature and history of early medieval England *

Mary Ramsey Mary Ramsey (born December 24, 1963) is a member of folk rock duo John & Mary and lead singer and violinist for the American alternative rock band 10,000 Maniacs. Ramsey has also worked with other well-known artists such as Jackson Browne, Goo Go ...

(born 1963), American singer-songwriter *

(died 1601), English philanthropist *

Mary Rice (wheelchair racer) Mary Rice is a paralympic athlete from Ireland competing mainly in category T34 sprint events. Career Rice has competed in the Paralympics on two occasions, firstly in 1996 and then again in 2000. In the 1996 games, she competed in the ...

, Irish paralympic athlete *

Mary Roberts (author) Mary Roberts (1788–1864) was an English author who predominantly wrote about natural history and the countryside around her. Life Roberts, born at Homerton, London, on 18 March 1788, was the daughter of Daniel Roberts, a merchant of London, and ...

(1788–1864), author, born London *

Mary Fanton Roberts Mary Fanton Roberts (1864–1956) was an American journalist and writer. She was best known as an editor of women's and decorating magazines. During her long career she was editor of the illustrated monthly ''Demorest's'', editor-in-chief of ''N ...

(1864–1956), American journalist *

Mary Helen Roberts Mary Helen Roberts (born September 14, 1947) is an Americans, American politician who is a member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party. She is a former member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 21st ...

(born 1947), American politician in the state of Washington * Mary Wendy Roberts (born 1944), American politician in the state of Oregon *

Mary Louise Roberts Mary Roberts may refer to: *Mary Roberts (author) (1788–1864), English author *Mary Roberts (bodybuilder) (born 1950), American former professional female bodybuilder *Mary Roberts (painter) (?–1761), American first female miniaturist in the Am ...

(1886–1968), New Zealand masseuse, physiotherapist and mountaineer *

Mary Grant Roberts Mary Grant Roberts (15 April 1841 – 27 November 1921) was an Australian zoo owner. Roberts owned Hobart Zoo from when it opened in 1895 until her death in 1921. The zoo was closed in 1937. Life and career Roberts was born in Hobart, Austra ...

(1841–1921), Australian zoo owner *

Cokie Roberts Mary Martha Corinne Morrison Claiborne "Cokie" Roberts (née Boggs; December 27, 1943 – September 17, 2019) was an American journalist and author. Her career included decades as a political reporter and analyst for National Public Radio, PBS, ...

(1943–2019), real name Mary Roberts, American journalist and author * Mary Roos (born 1949), German singer * Mary Jane Seacole (1805–1881), British-Jamaican nurse, healer and businesswoman. *

Mary Anne Schwalbe Mary Anne Schwalbe (' Goldsmith; March 31, 1934 – September 14, 2009) was a university administrator and refugee worker. She served as Associate Dean of Admissions at Harvard University, and was the Founding Director for the Women's Commission fo ...

(1934–2009), university administrator and refugee worker * Mary Shelley (1797–1851), English novelist who wrote the Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus * Mary Silvani (1948–1982), American murder victim *

Mary Florence Wells Slater Mary Florence Wells Slater (October 16, 1864 – January 22, 1941) was an American entomologist and educator. After graduating from Saint Mary's School (Raleigh, North Carolina), St. Mary's School in 1882, she served on the faculty there as a scie ...

(1864–1941), American entomologist and schoolteacher *

Mary Lou Spiess Mary Lou Spiess ( – June 18, 1992) was an American disability advocate, teacher, and designer of disabled fashion. Biography Mary Lou Spiess was born Mary Lou Crump, around 1931. After graduating from Analy High School in 1947, she attended the ...

(1931–1992), American designer of disabled fashion * Margaret Truman (Mary Margaret Truman, 1924–2008), only daughter of Harry S. Truman *

Mary Anne MacLeod Trump Mary Anne Trump (; gd, Màiri Anna Nic Leòid ; May 10, 1912 – August 7, 2000) was a Scottish-American domestic worker. She was the wife of real-estate developer Fred Trump. The couple were the parents of Donald Trump, the 45th president of ...

(1912–2000), mother of

Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pe ...

Mary L. Trump Mary Lea Trump (born May 3, 1965) is an American psychologist and author. A niece of former president Donald Trump, she has been critical of him as well as the rest of the Trump family. Her 2020 book about him and the family, ''Too Much and Nev ...

(born 1965), psychologist and author; niece of Donald Trump *

Mary Frances Tucker Mary Frances Tucker (, Tyler; May 16, 1837 – 1902) was an American poet. Not a prolific writer, her best work was inspired by a moral sentiment. About the year 1854, two of Tucker's poems appeared in ''The National Era'' which soon became popu ...

(1837–1902), American poet *

Mary van Kleeck Mary Abby van Kleeck (June 26, 1883June 8, 1972) was an American social scientist of the 20th century. She was a notable figure in the American labor movement as well as a proponent of scientific management and a planned economy. An American of ...

(1883–1972), American social scientist and socialist *

Mary Burke Washington Mary Cornelia Burke Washington (formerly Mary Burke Nicholas; July 6, 1926 – November 30, 2014) was an American economist, former New York state official, and advocate for women and minorities in public life. She held a variety of positions in f ...

(1926–2014), American economist *

Mary Ball Washington Mary Washington (; born sometime between 1707 and 1709 – August 25, 1789), was the second wife of Augustine Washington, a planter in Virginia, the mother-in-law of Martha Washington, the paternal grandmother of Bushrod Washington, and ...

(1708–1789), mother of U.S. President

George Washington George Washington (February 22, 1732, 1799) was an American military officer, statesman, and Founding Father who served as the first president of the United States from 1789 to 1797. Appointed by the Continental Congress as commander of th ...

Mary Helen Washington Mary Helen Washington (born January 21, 1941) is an African-American literary scholar who is the author of numerous books on the African-American female experience. She is best known for her influence on increasing representation of Black authors ...

, American literary scholar *

Mary L. Washington Mary Lynn Washington (born May 20, 1962) is an American politician from Baltimore, Maryland. A Democrat, she was first elected in to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2010 to represent the 43rd legislative district. In 2018, she was elected to ...

(born 1962), Maryland legislator * Mary T. Washington (1906–2005), first African-American woman to be a certified public accountant in the United States *

Mary Wollstonecraft Mary Wollstonecraft (, ; 27 April 1759 – 10 September 1797) was a British writer, philosopher, and advocate of women's rights. Until the late 20th century, Wollstonecraft's life, which encompassed several unconventional personal relationsh ...

(1759–1797), English writer and founding feminist philosopher

References

Citations

General sources

* Rosenkrantz, Linda and Satran, Pamela Redmond (2005). ''Beyond Jennifer and Jason, Madison and Montana'', Fourth Edition. St. Martin's Paperbacks. . * Todd, Loreto (1998). ''Celtic Names for Children''. Irish American Book Company. . * Wallace, Carol (2004). ''The Penguin Classic Baby Name Book''. Penguin. . * Wood, Jamie Martinez (2001). ''¿Cómo te llamas, Baby?'' Berkley. . {{DEFAULTSORT:Mary (Given Name) English feminine given names Feminine given names Given names of Greek language origin Given names Irish feminine given names Scottish feminine given names Welsh feminine given names