International Variations of Mary

Actress Hargitay made us notice this one, it makes a robust, energetic Slavic impression.

Why does Mairi (rhymes with Harry) seem so much cooler than Mary? This Irish form of Mary was not used before the seventeenth century, as it was considered too sacred. The vocative case of the name, Mhairi (pronounced VAH-ree), is also used as a given name in Scotland.

This is one elaboration of the ubiquitous Isobel that we think should be chosen more often and would work well in many languages.

Foreign variations of Mary are definitely the way to go; this one has a nice Dutch-girl feel. It also works as a cultural crossover name, e.g. between European languages and Japanese.

Marella is an Italian name that feels at once unique and familiar, which may either be the best or worst of both worlds, depending on your preference.

The final a adds a lot of style.

Some sources say Mele is a South Sea Islander form of Mary, but it's also a name in its own right meaning song.

Russian, Ukrainian, and Bulgarian form of the classic Maria sure to cause a lifetime of spelling questions and pronunciation mistakes.

Derived from Maria, the meaning of which is uncertain. Theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

Variant of Marise

A less-popular alternative to Juliette, perhaps – although it feels rather more dated.

A lovely and typical name on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Bothnia that no one in the English-speaking world will know how to pronounce. Maia sounds (virtually) the same and is far more familiar outside Finland and Latvia.

A pretty and little-known Spanish smoosh name, combining Maria with Celia.

A striking form of international favourite Maria, the meaning of which is uncertain. Theories include "drop of the sea" (from Hebrew roots mar "drop" and yam "sea"); "bitter" (from Hebrew marah "bitterness"); and "beloved" (from the Egyptian root mr).

A pretty spin on Maria or Marissa.

Variant of Mariella