The naming of a child can very well be one of the most important things a parent can do for their son or daughter. It sets the stage for how others will react to them and how they will respond. Basically, a name can bring confidence with it or it can bring judgment from others. A name can mark the course of your life and determine our destiny. This is just what it did for Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Its Meaning

The name Mary brings with it an air of nobility. From mothers to women in royalty, Mary has been a name widely used. But what does the name Mary mean?

The name Mary is Hebrew in its origin. The meaning of Mary is “of the sea or bitter”, which certainly is not synonymous with the words people often associate with the mother of Jesus. It became widely known within the Hebrew culture because of the most well-known Mary in all the world — Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Mary was the name of the virgin mother of Jesus, and this how it has derived its meaning. In fact, Mary has become one of the most popular Christian names used for girls.

But you’ll be surprised to learn that there are more meanings to the name Mary other than Jesus’ mother.

Other forms of the name Mary

There is also a Latin form of the name Mary, which is Maria, and there is the Hebrew form of the name Mary, which is Miriam. Miriam was the name given to the sister of Moses. Like the name Mary, Miriam means blessed, honorable; also washed and cleansed. For many centuries after the birth of Jesus the name Mary was thought of as too holy to be used as a name for a little girl. The Catholic Church implied that is was a name to be kept only within the church, to be only thought of as holy and immortalized only within the church. However, starting around the 12th century, England began using the name Mary for little girls born around that time, and even for children’s song titles like, Mary Had a Little Lamb.

Taking the meaning of the name Mary and its historical background into account, Mary is one of the most popular girl’s name used by parents.

Even with a variety of meanings, the meaning “mother of Jesus” is still the one that everyone remembers and associates with the name.

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