Marija is a name of Slavic origin, specifically from Serbia and Croatia, meaning 'sea' or 'of the sea'. It is the female form of the masculine name Marijan, which is derived from Latin 'Marius', itself an ancient Roman family name. In some cultures, Marija is also associated with the Virgin Mary, adding a religious connotation to the name. Spelling variants include Maria and Mariah in other languages.
"The name Marija experienced varying popularity over the years, with notable peaks in 1974 (12 births), 1975 and 1976 (both 15 births), 1987 (19 births), and a recent high in 2008 (21 births). However, it's clear that the name has seen a general decline in usage since the mid-1990s, with many years registering fewer than 10 births each."