Maria is a feminine given name of Latin origin that means "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness". It is derived from the Hebrew name Mariam, which was borne by several significant biblical figures including Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.
The name Maria has been popular throughout history and across various cultures. In medieval Europe, it was a common name among royalty, with notable examples including Queen Maria I of Portugal and Empress Maria Theresa of Austria. In literature, Maria is also the title character of Prosper Merimée's novella "Carmen", which later inspired George Bizet's famous opera.
Today, Maria remains a popular choice for parents around the world looking to name their daughters. It has been consistently ranked among the top 100 most popular names in countries such as Spain, Italy, Poland, and the United States. Variations of the name include Marie, Mary, Mariah, and Marley, each with its own unique charm.
In summary, Maria is a classic feminine given name with Latin origins that has been widely used throughout history. Its meaning may evoke images of strength or rebellion, making it an appealing choice for parents seeking a powerful yet timeless name for their daughter.
Based on the provided statistics, we can observe several trends and patterns regarding the number of births with the name Maria in the United States between 1880 and 2023.
Over this period spanning nearly 144 years, there has been a significant increase in the total number of births named Maria. From just 125 births in 1880, the figure rose to 2893 births in 2023, marking an approximately 23-fold increase.
The highest number of babies named Maria was recorded in 1964 with 10,150 births. This can be attributed to the baby boom period that occurred after World War II, which lasted from around 1946 to 1964 and resulted in a significant increase in birth rates.
The decade of the 1950s also saw consistently high numbers of babies named Maria, with a total of 62 births per year on average. This was followed by another peak in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with an average of approximately 70 births per year during this period.
However, there has been a decline in recent years, with the number of babies named Maria dropping from 3419 births in 2010 to 2600 births in 2021. This trend could be indicative of changing naming preferences among parents or a result of demographic shifts within the population.
It is also interesting to note that there were several periods where the number of births with the name Maria fluctuated significantly from one year to the next. For example, between 1880 and 1923, there was an average variation of approximately 65 births per year. In contrast, from 1924 onwards, this variability decreased significantly, with an average annual change of around 20 births.
In conclusion, while the name Maria has remained popular among parents in the United States over the past century and a half, its popularity has waxed and waned throughout this period. Despite recent declines, it continues to be one of the most common girl's names in the country today.