Marie is a feminine given name of Latin origin, derived from the Hebrew name Miriam. It means "sea of bitterness" or "rebelliousness," but it can also signify "lady" or "exalted one." This name has been widely popular throughout history and across various cultures.
The name Marie is believed to have originated from the ancient Hebrew name Miriam, which was borne by several significant biblical figures. One of the most notable was Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, who played a crucial role in the story of the Israelites' escape from Egypt. Another famous bearer of this name was Miriam, the mother of Jesus in Christian tradition.
Marie gained popularity during the Middle Ages in Europe, particularly among French nobility. It was further popularized by several royal figures, such as Mary I (Mary Tudor) and Mary II (Mary Stuart), who ruled over England and Scotland respectively. Throughout history, many saints, artists, writers, and historical figures have been named Marie or variants of this name.
The name Marie has also been used in various languages and cultures around the world, with some common variants including Maria (Spanish, Portuguese, Italian), María (Spanish), Marieke (Dutch), Marika (Finnish), Maja (Scandinavian), and Mary (English).
In literature and arts, several notable characters have borne this name. For instance, Marie Antoinette was a famous French queen whose life inspired numerous books, plays, films, and operas. Other examples include Maria von Trapp from "The Sound of Music," and Marie Curie, the first woman to win a Nobel Prize.
Overall, the name Marie has a rich history and cultural significance, with its origins rooted in ancient Hebrew tradition and its popularity spanning across various languages and cultures throughout the centuries.
The name Marie experienced significant growth in popularity from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. The highest number of births recorded was in 1918 with 12,589 instances. However, since then, its usage has declined steadily. In recent years, it has become quite rare, with only 451 recorded births in 2023. Overall, there have been a total of 539,114 births named Marie from 1880 to 2023.