International Variations of Mary

  1. Maribel
    • Origin:

      English combination of Mary and Bel
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + beautiful"
    • Description:

      This modern name gathers some steam from the wildly popular Isabel.
  2. Maureen
    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Mary
    • Description:

      Almost as popular in the 1950s among the Irish in Boston as it was with those back in Bray, Maureen was once among the most prominent Irish names for girls in the US but has fallen from favor along with most of her een-ending sisters such as Eileen and Colleen.
  3. Mitzi
    • Origin:

      German, diminutive of Maria
    • Meaning:

      "bitter"
    • Description:

      Mitzi is a spunky German nickname name that might appeal to parents drawn to the genre of lively vintage chorus girl names that proliferated in 1930's musicals. Lively entertainer Mitzi Gaynor--who was originally named Francesca Marlene de Czani von Gerber--made the name notable in mid-century America.
  4. Mariam
    • Origin:

      Arabic variation of Mary
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Popular among parents with Arab roots. Also found as Maryam.
  5. Mariella
    • Origin:

      Italian and Dutch diminutive of Maria
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Lilting and nearly unknown here, with the currently popular ella ending, makes a good Marissa alternative.
  6. Mariel
    • Origin:

      Dutch diminutive of Mary
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Mariel Hemingway popularized this attractive and unusual variation of Mary. It's a fairly recent form, emerging in the twentieth century. Other variations include Marielle and Mariella, which is found in Italy.
  7. Maire
    • Origin:

      Finnish, Irish variation of Mary
    • Meaning:

      "sweet; drop of the sea, bitter"
    • Description:

      Both Maire and Mare have begun making inroads with parents seeking novel yet authentic ways of honoring an ancestral Mary. The Finnish variation derives from the word mairea, meaning "sweet."
  8. Mamie
    • Origin:

      Diminutive of Mary or Margaret
    • Description:

      Mamie is back. Having finally shorn her Mamie Eisenhower bangs, this insouciant and adorable nickname name is perfect if you want a zestier way to honor a beloved aunt Mary. Meryl Streep's actress daughter, properly named Mary Willa, is called Mamie Gummer. You might think of Mamie as a sister of the stylish Maisie.
  9. Maryam
    • Origin:

      Arabic, Persian, and Urdu variant of Mary, Hebrew
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Classic Mary has many international variations and the strong, pretty Maryam is the Arabic, Persian, and Urdu form. Popular in many countries across the world, from Azerbaijan to France, The Netherlands to Iran and from England to Russia, Maryam is the form of Mary that appears in the Quran.
  10. Marisa
    • Origin:

      Italian and Spanish combination of Maria and Louisa
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + famous battle"
    • Description:

      A name made famous by Marisas Berenson and Tomei, never became as saturated as its cousin Melissa, so still a feasible choice. Marisa is one of those Spanish and Italian names for girls that sounds at once unusual and familiar, which makes it truly an international choice.
  11. Malou
    • Origin:

      Combination of Mary and Lou
    • Meaning:

      "bitter; renowned warrior"
    • Description:

      This charming name, popular in France and the Netherlands, has not traveled to the U.S. yet but would make a modern way to honor grandma Mary or Louise, or as a perfect short form of Mary Louise. Or, with the growing fashion for nickname names, it can stand perfect well on its own. One of several similar variations — Lou, Lilou, Louane — in vogue in Europe.
  12. Marissa
    • Origin:

      Variation of Maris or a combination of Maria + Louisa
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved + famous battle"
    • Description:

      Pretty feminissima name that never became as overused as cousin Melissa. The more streamlined Maris is a more modern sounding option.
  13. Marilla
    • Origin:

      Latin
    • Meaning:

      "shining sea"
    • Description:

      Marilla is a names that's familiar via its resemblance to Mary and variations, but also distinctive: It hasn't been on the Top 1000 since the 1800s and was given to only 27 baby girls last year.
  14. Masha
    • Origin:

      Russian variation of Maria, Hebrew or Egyptian
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Looking to honor Grandma Mary (or Maria) with something original? This Russian short form bears an unfortunate resemblance to the English word "mash", but if you can look past that, Masha has possibilities.
  15. Milou
    • Origin:

      Combination of Marie and Lou or Louise
    • Description:

      Milou and her near-identical twin Malou are adorable names popular throughout Europe; they're contractions of Marie or Mary and Lou or Louise. The Malou spelling will probably be easier for English speakers to pronounce; Milou may be conflated with Milo.
  16. My
    • Origin:

      Swedish diminutive of Maria
    • Meaning:

      "bitter; wished-for child"
    • Description:

      Although the sound is pretty, "my" is too common of an English word for My to be usable as a baby name in Anglophone countries.
  17. Marietta
    • Origin:

      Italian diminutive of Maria
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Marietta would make for a classy and uncommon long form for cool nickname Etta.
  18. Maritza
    • Origin:

      Spanish diminutive of Maria
    • Meaning:

      "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved"
    • Description:

      Used especially in Latin America, this would make a funky spin on Maria.
  19. Mare
    • Origin:

      Irish variation of Mary
    • Description:

      With this spelling, and one-syllable pronunciation, it sounds less like a whole name than a cut-off version of Mary. In fact, actress Mare Winningham was christened Mary.
  20. Ria
    • Origin:

      Spanish
    • Meaning:

      "small river"
    • Description:

      Short and feminine, Ria has a rhythmic flow.