Maria
Peaked at #30 nationally in 1975, based on real US Social Security Administration birth records.
Girls vs. boys, all-time
Since 1880, Maria has been recorded >99% of the time for girls and <1% of the time for boys.
Meaning & origin
Maria is the Latin and Romance-language form of Mary, ultimately from the Hebrew Miriam, a name of debated meaning often glossed as "wished-for child" or "bitter." It's one of the most widely used names across Catholic and Latin cultures.
Notable people & culture
Maria peaked at #30 in 1975; "The Sound of Music" and "West Side Story" both feature prominent characters named Maria, helping keep the name a fixture of American musical theater and film.
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Maria — Girls (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#30
in 1975
Current rank
#74
in 2024
Years tracked
145
1880–2024
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1880, Maria reached its peak popularity for girls in 1975, ranking #30 nationally with 7,539 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #114 (2014) to #74 (2024) — a 35% improvement.
As of 2024, Maria ranks #74 nationally for girls, with 3,105 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #74 | 3,105 |
| 2023 | #82 | 2,905 |
| 2022 | #91 | 2,847 |
| 2021 | #105 | 2,604 |
| 2020 | #109 | 2,492 |
| 2019 | #106 | 2,716 |
| 2018 | #115 | 2,619 |
| 2017 | #111 | 2,717 |
Maria — Boys (United States)
RisingPeak rank
#825
in 1982
Current rank
#9520
in 2024
Years tracked
111
1911–2024
Trend
Rising
Tracked since 1911, Maria reached its peak popularity for boys in 1982, ranking #825 nationally with 116 babies given the name that year.
Over the last 10 years of data, its rank has climbed from #11630 (2014) to #9520 (2024) — a 18% improvement.
As of 2024, Maria ranks #9520 nationally for boys, with 8 babies given the name that year.
Recent years
| Year | Rank | Births |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | #9,520 | 8 |
| 2021 | #8,589 | 9 |
| 2020 | #7,872 | 10 |
| 2019 | #9,426 | 8 |
| 2017 | #13,539 | 5 |
| 2016 | #10,347 | 7 |
| 2015 | #11,598 | 6 |
| 2014 | #11,630 | 6 |
Source: U.S. Social Security Administration, National Data, 1880–2024.
Similar trajectory
Other names that peaked around the same era and rose or fell on a comparable curve.
Based on US data — girls' names only.
Common Questions
When was Maria most popular?
Maria was most popular in 1975, when it ranked #30 nationally for girls — the highest rank it has reached in this data.
Is Maria becoming more or less popular?
For girls, it's currently rising; for boys, it's currently rising, based on the last decade of SSA data.
How many babies have been named Maria?
At least 567,411 babies have been recorded with the name Maria in the US since 1880, according to Social Security Administration birth records.
Looking for more name ideas like Maria? Try the Baby Name Generator or compare it against other names on the Name Trends hub.