Maria is a feminine

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a ...

. It is given in many languages influenced by

Latin Christianity , native_name_lang = la , image = San Giovanni in Laterano - Rome.jpg , imagewidth = 250px , alt = Façade of the Archbasilica of St. John in Lateran , caption = Archbasilica of Saint Joh ...

. It has its origin as the feminine form of the Roman name '' Marius'' (see

Maria gens The gens Maria was a plebeian family of Rome. Its most celebrated member was Gaius Marius, one of the greatest generals of antiquity, and seven times consul.''Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology'', vol. I, p. 949 ("Maria Gens"). ...

), and, after Christianity has spread across the Roman empire, it became the Latinised form of the name of Miriam:

Mary, mother of Jesus Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of ...

. ''Maria'' (

Greek Greek may refer to: Greece Anything of, from, or related to Greece, a country in Southern Europe: *Greeks, an ethnic group. *Greek language, a branch of the Indo-European language family. **Proto-Greek language, the assumed last common ancestor ...

: Μαρία) is a form of the name used in the

New Testament The New Testament grc, Ἡ Καινὴ Διαθήκη, transl. ; la, Novum Testamentum. (NT) is the second division of the Christian biblical canon. It discusses the teachings and person of Jesus, as well as events in first-century Chri ...

, standing alongside ''Mariam'' (Μαριάμ). It reflects the Syro-Aramaic name ''Maryam'', which is in turn derived from the Biblical Hebrew name '' Miriam''. As a result of their similarity and syncretism, the Latin original name ''Maria'' and the Hebrew-derived ''Maria'' combined to form a single name. The name is also sometimes used as a male (middle) name. This was historically the case in many

Central Europe Central Europe is an area of Europe between Western Europe and Eastern Europe, based on a common historical, social and cultural identity. The Thirty Years' War (1618–1648) between Catholicism and Protestantism significantly shaped the a ...

countries and still is the case in countries with strong Catholic traditions, where it signified patronage of the

Virgin Mary Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of ...

(French-speakers often did the same with ''

Marie Marie may refer to: People Name * Marie (given name) * Marie (Japanese given name) * Marie (murder victim), girl who was killed in Florida after being pushed in front of a moving vehicle in 1973 * Marie (died 1759), an enslaved Cree person in Tr ...

'').

Variants and usage

''Maria'' was a frequently given name in southern Europe even in the medieval period. In addition to the simple name, there arose a tradition of naming girls after specific

titles of Mary Mary, the mother of Jesus in Christianity, is known by many different titles (Blessed Mother, Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Our Lady, Holy Virgin), epithets ( Star of the Sea, Queen of Heaven, Cause of Our Joy), invocations (''Panagia'', Mother o ...

, feast days associated with Mary and specific

Marian apparition A Marian apparition is a reported supernatural appearance by Mary, the mother of Jesus, or a series of related such appearances during a period of time. In the Catholic Church, in order for a reported appearance to be classified as a Marian a ...

s (such as '' Maria de los Dolores'', '' Maria del Pilar'', '' Maria del Carmen'' etc., whence the derived given names of '' Dolores'', '' Pilar'', '' Carmen'' etc.). By contrast, in northern Europe the name only rose to popularity after the

Reformation The Reformation (alternatively named the Protestant Reformation or the European Reformation) was a major movement within Western Christianity in 16th-century Europe that posed a religious and political challenge to the Catholic Church and in ...

. Because the name is so frequent in Christian tradition, a tradition of giving compound names has developed, with a number of such compounds themselves becoming very popular. Examples, among numerous others, include: *

Anna Anna may refer to: People Surname and given name * Anna (name) Mononym * Anna the Prophetess, in the Gospel of Luke * Anna (wife of Artabasdos) (fl. 715–773) * Anna (daughter of Boris I) (9th–10th century) * Anna (Anisia) (fl. 1218 to 12 ...

+ Maria (Anne-Marie,

Marianne Marianne () has been the national personification of the French Republic since the French Revolution, as a personification of liberty, equality, fraternity and reason, as well as a portrayal of the Goddess of Liberty. Marianne is displayed in ...

) *Maria + Luisa ( Marie-Louise) *

Margarita A margarita is a cocktail consisting of Tequila, triple sec, and lime juice often served with salt on the rim of the glass. The drink is served shaken with ice (on the rocks), blended with ice (frozen margarita), or without ice (straight up). ...

+ Maria (English Margaret Mary, French Marguerite Marie) *Maria +

Antonia Antonia may refer to: People * Antonia (name), including a list of people with the name * Antonia gens, a Roman family, any woman of the gens was named ''Antonia'' * Antônia (footballer) * Antônia Melo Entertainment * ''Antonia's Line'', or ...

( Maria Antonia, French

Marie-Antoinette Marie Antoinette Josèphe Jeanne (; ; née Maria Antonia Josepha Johanna; 2 November 1755 – 16 October 1793) was the last queen of France before the French Revolution. She was born an archduchess of Austria, and was the penultimate child ...

) *Maria + Helena (Italian Maria Elena, Spanish María Elena) *Maria +

Teresa Teresa (also Theresa, Therese; french: Thérèse) is a feminine given name. It originates in the Iberian Peninsula in late antiquity. Its derivation is uncertain, it may be derived from Greek θερίζω (''therízō'') "to harvest or re ...

( Maria Theresa, French Marie Thérèse) As a feminine given name, ''Maria'' ranked 109th in the United States as of 2015, down from rank 31 held during 1973–1975.behindthename.com
the English form ''Mary'' was at rank 214 as of 2015, after a much steeper decline down from being raked first consistently during 1880–1968

/ref> Spelling variants of ''Maria'' include: ''Mária'' (Hungarian, Slovakian), ''María'' (Greek, Icelandic, Spanish), ''

Máire Máire is the Irish language form of the Latin Maria, which was in turn a Latin form of the Greek names Μαριαμ, or Mariam, and Μαρια, or Maria, found in the New Testament. Both New Testament names were forms of the Hebrew name or Mir ...

'' and ''

Muire Muire ( en, Mary) is an Irish name given exclusively to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The Irish name ''Máire'' is typically used for the name ''Mary''. ''Muire'' is used exclusively for the Virgin Mary. The only known exception to this rule is in t ...

'' (Irish), ''Marya'' and ''Marija'' (transliterated from Cyrillic), ''Maria'' (Polish). Due to a very strong devotion of Irish and Polish Catholics to the

Blessed Virgin Mary Mary; arc, ܡܪܝܡ, translit=Mariam; ar, مريم, translit=Maryam; grc, Μαρία, translit=María; la, Maria; cop, Ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ, translit=Maria was a first-century Jews, Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Saint Joseph, Jose ...

, a special exception is made for two other forms of her name – ''Muire'' and ''Maryja'': no one else may take that name, similar to the way the name ''

Jesus Jesus, likely from he, יֵשׁוּעַ, translit=Yēšūaʿ, label= Hebrew/ Aramaic ( AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ or Jesus of Nazareth (among other names and titles), was a first-century Jewish preacher and religiou ...

'' is not used in most languages. The English form ''

Mary Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also calle ...

'' is derived via French ''

''. A great number of

hypocoristic A hypocorism ( or ; from Ancient Greek: (), from (), 'to call by pet names', sometimes also ''hypocoristic'') or pet name is a name used to show affection for a person. It may be a diminutive form of a person's name, such as '' Izzy'' for ...

forms are in use in numerous languages. Cyrillic '' Maryam'' and '' Miriam'' have numerous variants, such as *Mariami (Georgian) *Mariamma, biblical Mariamme,

Mariamne Mariamne is a name frequently used in the Herodian royal house. In Greek it is spelled Μαριάμη (Mariame) by Josephus; in some editions of his work the second ''m'' is doubled (Mariamme). In later copies of those editions the spelling was ...

*Məryəm (Azerbaijani) *Meryem (Kurdish, Turkish) *Myriam (French) The spelling in Semitic abjads is ''mrym'': Aramaic ܡܪܝܡ, Hebrew מרים, Arabic مريم. Cyrillic has Марыя (''Marýja'') (Belarusian), Марија (''Marija'') (Serbian, Macedonian), and Мария (''Maríja'') (Russian, Bulgarian). Georgian uses მარიამ (''Mariam'') and მარია (''Maria''); Armenian has Մարիամ (''Mariam''). Chinese has adopted the spelling 瑪麗 (simplified 玛丽,

pinyin Hanyu Pinyin (), often shortened to just pinyin, is the official romanization system for Standard Chinese, Standard Mandarin Chinese in China, and to some extent, in Singapore and Malaysia. It is often used to teach Mandarin, normally writte ...

''Mǎlì''). The variant '' Mariah'' (usually pronounced ) was rarely given in the United States prior to the 1990s, when it bounced in popularity, from rank 562 in 1989 to rank 62 in 1998, in imitation of the name of singer Mariah Carey (whose ''

Vision of Love "Vision of Love" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey for her Mariah Carey (album), eponymous debut studio album (1990). It was written by Carey and Ben Margulies. After being featured on Carey's demo tape for Columbia R ...

'' topped the charts in 1990).

Masculine name

''Maria'' is used as a part of masculine given names in Hispanic and

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: *Rome, the capital city of Italy * Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...

tradition.

People

Female

* Maaria Eira, Finnish opera singer and actress * Maria of Russia (several people) *

Maria al-Qibtiyya (), better known as or ( ar, مارية القبطية), or Mary the Copt, died 637, was an Egyptian woman who, along with her sister Sirin, was sent to the Islamic prophet Muhammad in 628 as a gift by Al-Muqawqis, a Christian governor of Alex ...

Maria I of Portugal Dom (title), Dona Maria I (17 December 1734 – 20 March 1816) was Queen of Portugal from 24 February 1777 until her death in 1816. Known as Maria the Pious in Portugal and Maria the Mad in Brazil, she was the first undisputed queen regnant of Por ...

(1734-1816), Queen of Portugal * María Conchita Alonso (born 1957), American singer/songwriter and actress * Maria Ahtisa Manalo, Miss International Philippines 2018 * Maria Ângela Carrascalão, East Timorese politician *

Maria II of Portugal , image = Queen Maria II by John Simpson.jpg , caption = Portrait by John Simpson, 1835 , succession = Queen of Portugal , reign = , predecessor = Pedro IV , successor = Miguel I , reg-type = Regents , regent ...

(1818-1853), Queen of Portugal * María Azambuya (1944–2011), Uruguayan actress and theatre director *

Maria Bamford Maria Bamford (born September 3, 1970) is an American actress and stand-up comedian. Her work has drawn critical acclaim and controversy because her humor often uses self-deprecating and dark topics, including her dysfunctional family, depressio ...

(born 1970), American stand-up comedian, actress, and voice actress * María Bazo (born 1998), Peruvian windsurfer *

Maria Beasley Maria E. Beasley (''née'' Hauser; 1836–1913) was an American entrepreneur and inventor. Born in North Carolina, Beasley grew up with a strong interest in mechanical work and learned about the profession of barrel-making from her grandfather. ...

, American inventor * Maria Beig (1920–2018), German author *

Maria Bello Maria Elena Bello (born April 18, 1967) is an American actress and writer. Her film roles include '' Permanent Midnight'' (1998), '' Payback'' (1999), '' Coyote Ugly'' (2000), ''The Cooler'' (2003), '' A History of Violence'' (2005), '' The Mumm ...

(born 1967), American actress and writer *

María Belón María Belón (born 1966) is a Spanish physician and motivational speaker, known for surviving the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami when she was on vacation in Thailand with her husband Enrique (Quique) Álvarez and three sons Lucas, Si ...

(born 1966), Spanish physician and motivational speaker *

Maria Brink Maria Brink (born December 18, 1977) is an American singer and songwriter, best known as the frontwoman of the metal band The band has gone on to release seven studio albums and receive four nominations, two from Alternative Press Music Awards, ...

(born 1977), American singer and songwriter * María Bolívar (born 1975), Venezuelan politician * Maria Callas (1923–1977), Greek-American soprano * Maria Callani (1778–1803), Italian 18th century portrait painter active in Parma *

Maria Cantwell Maria Ellen Cantwell (; born October 13, 1958) is an American politician and former businesswoman serving as the junior United States senator from Washington since 2001. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously served in the Washingto ...

(born 1958), U.S. Senatoor * Maria Cole (1922–2012), American jazz singer * Maria Colwell (1965–1973), British female murder victim * Maria Christina (several people) * Maria Dallas, New Zealand singer *

Maria Damanaki Maria Damanaki ( el, Μαρία Δαμανάκη) is a Greek politician, including former president of the Synaspismos party of the left and former state member of the Hellenic Parliament within the Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK). She se ...

(born 1952) Greek politician * Maria d'Apparecida (1926–2017), Brazilian opera singer *

Maria Darling Maria Darling is a British voice actress who has provided many character voices for children's television programmes in the United Kingdom and the United States. Television and film * Dr Otter - Some of the Rabbit Children, Mrs. Canny Body and ...

, British voice actress *

Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruz Maria de Lourdes Martins Cruz is an East Timorese Roman Catholic woman dedicated to the service of the poor. Biography She was born in Liquica, East Timor in 1962. After an education interrupted by the independence struggle, she joined the Can ...

, East Timorese religious sister * Maria de Vasconcelos (born 1970), Portuguese psychiatrist, singer and songwriter * Maria do Céu Sarmento, East Timorese politician *

Maria Domingas Alves Maria Domingas Fernandes Alves (born 28 November 1959), nickname Mana (sister) Micato or Mikato, resistance name Beta Mau, is a women's rights activist, former resistance fighter, civil servant and non-party politician from East Timor. From 2007 t ...

, East Timorese politician *

Maria Edgeworth Maria Edgeworth (1 January 1768 – 22 May 1849) was a prolific Anglo-Irish novelist of adults' and children's literature. She was one of the first realist writers in children's literature and was a significant figure in the evolution of the n ...

(1768–1849), Anglo-Irish writer of adults' and children's literature *

María Escudero-Escribano María Escudero-Escribano (born June 3, 1983) is a Spanish chemist and Director of the Nano-Electrochemical group at the University of Copenhagen. Her research considers the design of materials for catalysis, fuel cells and sustainable chemistry. ...

(born 1983), Spanish chemist * María-Esther Vidal, Venezuelan scientist * Maria Louise Eve (1842–1900), American poet *

Maria Ewing Maria Louise Ewing (March 27, 1950 – January 9, 2022) was an American opera singer. In the early part of her career she performed solely as a lyric mezzo-soprano; she later assumed full soprano parts as well. Her signature roles were Blanche, ...

(1950–2022), American opera singer *

Maria Farantouri Maria Farantouri or Farandouri ( el, Μαρία Φαραντούρη; born 28 November 1947 in Athens) is a Greek singer and also a political and cultural activist. She has collaborated with Greek composers such as Mikis Theodorakis, who wrote the ...

(born 1947), Greek singer * María Fernanda Di Giacobbe (born 1964), Venezuelan chocolatier *

Maria Fyfe Maria Fyfe ('' née'' O'Neill; 25 November 1938 – 3 December 2020) was a Scottish politician and educator who served as Member of Parliament for Glasgow Maryhill from 1987 to 2001. She was Deputy Shadow Minister for Women from 1988 to 1991, ...

(1938–2020), Scottish politician *

María Esther García López María Esther García López (born, 8 December 1948, La Degollada, Valdés, Asturias) is a poet and writer in Asturian and Spanish. She is the president of the Asociación de Escritores de Asturias (Asturias Writers Association). She graduated i ...

(born, 1948), poet, writer; president, Asturias Writers Association * María la Grande (), prominent Tehuelche leader of the early 19th century *

Maria Guyomar de Pinha Maria Guyomar de Pina ( th, มารีอา กียูมาร์ ดึ ปีญา; 1664 – 1728) (also known as ''Maria Guiomar de Pina'', ''Dona Maria del Pifia'' or as ''Marie Guimar'' and ''Madame Constance'' in French), Thao Thong Ki ...

(1664–1728), Siamese cook *

Maria Harfanti Maria Harfanti (born 20 January 1992) is an Indonesian TV Host, social activist, pianist and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned as Miss Indonesia 2015. She represented her country in Miss World 2015 pageant and was placed as 2nd Runner U ...

(born 1992), Miss World Indonesia 2015 * Maria Höfl-Riesch (born 1984), German alpine skier * María Holly (born 1932), widow of rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly * Maria Iliou (born 1960) Greek film director, scriptwriter and producer * Maria James (1793–1868), Welsh-born American poet * Maria Jane Jewsbury (1800–1833), English writer, poet, literary reviewer * María José (several people) *

Maria Kanellis Mary Louis "Maria" Kanellis-Bennett (born February 25, 1982) is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling manager, actress, model and former singer, She is best known for her time in Impact Wrestling where she was a member of ...

(born 1982), American professional wrestler * Maria Kekkonen, Finnish erotic actress *

Maria Brace Kimball Maria Brace Kimball (July 20, 1852 — 1933) was an American elocutionist who taught, lectured, and wrote on the subject. She was an instructor in elocution and lecturer on dramatic literature in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts; lecturer on F ...

(1852–1933), American educator, elocutionist, writer * Maria Kochetkova (born 1984), Russian ballet dancer * Maria Kovrigina (1910–1995), Russian physician and Soviet minister of health *

Maria Kowroski Maria Kowroski is an American ballet dancer. She is a principal dancer at the New York City Ballet. Early life Kowroski was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She started ballet at the age of five. In 1992, she entered the School of American Ballet ...

(born 1976), American ballet dancer * Maria Lampadaridou Pothou (born 1933), Greek novelist, poet and playwright * Maria Elise Turner Lauder (1833–1922), Canadian writer * Maria Lauterbach (1987–2007), American murder victim * Maria Lioudaki (1894–1947), Greek educator, folklorist, and resistance fighter *

Maria White Lowell Maria White Lowell (July 8, 1821 – October 27, 1853) was an American poet and abolitionist. Her poems were privately printed by her husband, James Russell Lowell, the poet, two years after her death. Early life Maria White was born in Waterto ...

(1821–1853), American poet, abolitionist * Maria Lugones (1944–2020), American philosopher * Maria Lynn Ehren (born 1992), Thai singer and model *

Maria Laura Mainetti Maria Laura Mainetti (born Teresina Elsa Mainetti; 20 August 1939 – 6 June 2000) was an Italian Catholic sister from the Sisters of the Cross institute. Mother superior of a convent in Chiavenna that specialised in helping juvenile delinque ...

(1939–2000), Italian Catholic sister and murder victim *

María Emma Mannarelli María Emma Mannarelli Cavagnari (born October 11, 1954) is a Peruvian feminist writer, historian, and professor. She is the founder and coordinator of the Gender Studies Program at the National University of San Marcos (UNMSM), where she also se ...

(born 1954), Peruvian feminist writer, historian, professor *

Maria Mandl Maria Mandl (also spelled Mandel; 10 January 1912 – 24 January 1948) was an Austrian '' SS- Helferin'' (" SS helper") known for her role in the Holocaust as a top-ranking official at the Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp, where she is bel ...

(1912–1948), Austrian Nazi SS commandant of the female camp at Auschwitz concentration camp executed for war crimes * Maria Rika Maniates (1937–2011), Canadian musicologist * María Marcano de León, Puerto Rican government official * Maria Mazina (born 1964), Russian Olympic champion épée fencer * Maria Alberta Menéres (1930–2019), Portuguese writer *

Maria Montessori Maria Tecla Artemisia Montessori ( , ; August 31, 1870 – May 6, 1952) was an Italian physician and educator best known for the philosophy of education that bears her name, and her writing on scientific pedagogy. At an early age, Montessori e ...

, Italian educator * , Japanese voice actress * , Japanese actress * Princess Maria Pia of Bourbon-Parma (born 1934) *

Maria Palmer Maria Palmer (born Maria Pichler, 5 September 1917 – 6 September 1981) was an Austrian-born American actress. Early life Palmer was born and raised in Vienna, Austria-Hungary (now Vienna, Austria) on 5 September 1917. She first appeared on st ...

(1917–1981), Austrian-born American actress *

Maria Petri Maria Petri (1 March 1939 – 22 July 2022) was an English association football supporter of Arsenal. She had been attending Arsenal and Arsenal Women matches constantly since 1950 until her death on 22 July 2022 and had been recognised withi ...

(1939–2022), English association football supporter * Maria Posobchuk (1890–1992), Ukrainian weaver *

Maria Rahajeng Maria Asteria Sastrayu Rahajeng, often called Maria Rahajeng (born 4 October 1991) is an Indonesian beauty pageant titleholder who was the representative from West Sulawesi and crowned Miss Indonesia 2014 on 17 February 2014, by her predecessor, ...

(born 1991), Miss World Indonesia 2014 *

Maria Goretti Maria Teresa Goretti (; October 16, 1890 – July 6, 1902) is an Italian virgin-martyr of the Catholic Church, and one of the youngest saints to be canonized. She was born to a farming family. Her father died when she was nine, and the family ...

, a victim of crime and saint *

Maria Rasputin Maria Rasputin (born Matryona Grigorievna Rasputina, russian: Матрёна Григорьевна Распутина; 27 March 1898 – 27 September 1977) was a Russian woman who was the daughter of Grigori Rasputin and his wife Praskovya Fy ...

(1898–1977), memoirist *

Maria Ressa Maria Angelita Ressa (, born Maria Angelita Delfin Aycardo on October 2, 1963) is a Filipino and American journalist. She is the co-founder and CEO of Rappler. She previously spent nearly two decades working as a lead investigative reporter in S ...

(born 1963), Filipina-American author, journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate * Maria Reynolds (1768–1828), wife of James Reynolds *

Maria Sakkari Maria Sakkari ( gr, Μαρία Σάκκαρη, ; born 25 July 1995) is a Greek professional tennis player. She has been ranked as high as world No. 3 by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA), which she first achieved on 21 March 2022, making her ...

(born 1995), Greek professional tennis player * María Elena Salinas, American broadcast journalist, news anchor, and author *

Maria Selena Maria Selena Nurcahya (born September 24, 1990), known as Maria Selena, is an Indonesian actress and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Puteri Indonesia 2011 and was represented her country in Miss Universe 2012 pageant. She was represe ...

(born 1990), Indonesian beauty pageant titleholder who won Puteri Indonesia 2011 *

Maria Sharapova Maria Yuryevna Sharapova ( , ; rus, Мари́я Ю́рьевна Шара́пова, p=mɐˈrʲijə ʂɐˈrapəvə, a=Maria_sharapova.ogg; born 19 April 1987) is a Russian former world No. 1 tennis player. She competed on the WTA Tour from 2 ...

(born 1987), Russian professional tennis player *

Maria Shriver Maria Owings Shriver (born November 6, 1955) is an American journalist, author, a member of the Kennedy family, former First Lady of California, and the founder of the nonprofit organization The Women's Alzheimer's Movement. She was married to ...

(born 1955), American journalist and activist * Maria Antónia Siza (1940–1973), Portuguese artist * Maria Strömkvist (born 1964), Swedish politician * Maria Tenazi (1903–1930), Soviet Armenian silent film actress * Maria Theresa (several people) *

Maria von Trapp Baroness Maria Augusta von Trapp DHS (; 26 January 1905 – 28 March 1987) was the stepmother and matriarch of the Trapp Family Singers. She wrote ''The Story of the Trapp Family Singers'', which was published in 1949 and was the inspiratio ...

(1905–1987), Austrian-born American singer *

María Valverde María Valverde Rodríguez (born 24 March 1987) is a Spanish actress. Career At age 16, Valverde had a major role in '' The Weakness of the Bolshevik'', for which she won Best New Actress at the 18th Goya Awards. Her other films include '' Me ...

(born 1987), Spanish actress *

Maria Eulália Vares Maria Eulália Vares is a Brazilian mathematical statistician and probability theorist who is known for her expertise in stochastic processes and large deviations theory. She is a professor of statistics in the Institute of Mathematics of the Fed ...

, Brazilian mathematical statistician and probability theorist * Maria Vasilkova (born 1978), Russian politician * Maria Chantal Videla (born 2002), Filipino-Argentine actress, model and singer of K-pop girl group Lapillus *

Maria Walliser Maria Walliser (born 27 May 1963) is a Swiss former alpine skier. Career Walliser grew up in Mosnang, the daughter of a wealthy cattle breeder. She made her World Cup debut in 1980. Together with her fellow Swiss Erika Hess, Michela Figini and ...

(born 1963), Swiss alpine skier * Maria Torrence Wishart (1893 – 1982), Canadian

medical illustrator A medical illustration is a form of biological illustration that helps to record and disseminate medical, anatomical, and related knowledge. History Medical illustrations have been made possibly since the History of medicine, beginning of medicin ...

and the founder of the

University of Toronto The University of Toronto (UToronto or U of T) is a public university, public research university in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, located on the grounds that surround Queen's Park (Toronto), Queen's Park. It was founded by royal charter in 1827 ...

's Art as Applied to Medicine program * Maria Zandbang (1886–1972), Polish equestrian

Fictional characters

Maria Maria may refer to: People * Mary, mother of Jesus * Maria (given name), a popular given name in many languages Place names Extraterrestrial * 170 Maria, a Main belt S-type asteroid discovered in 1877 * Lunar maria (plural of ''mare''), large, ...

, a fictional character played by Laura Nicole in the British web series ''Corner Shop Show'' * Maria, a villain character in the tokusatsu ''

Chōjin Sentai Jetman is a Japanese tokusatsu television series produced by Toei Company and Bandai. It is the fifteenth entry of the ''Super Sentai'' metaseries, following the previous series ''Chikyu Sentai Fiveman''. The series aired on TV Asahi on February 15, 199 ...

'' * Maria, the youngest princess of Macedon in the ''Fire Emblem'' video game series. * Grace Maria Fleed, a character from the anime ''

Grendizer , known as '' Grandizer'' in the United States, is a Japanese Super Robot anime television series and manga created by manga artist Go Nagai. It is the third entry in the ''Mazinger'' series, however it is non-canon due to '' Mazinger Z: ...

''. * Maria (''West Side Story''), the main female protagonist from the musical ''West Side Story'' *

Maria Jackson Maria Jackson is a fictional character played by Yasmin Paige in the British children's science fiction television programme ''The Sarah Jane Adventures'', a spin-off from the long-running series ''Doctor Who''. She is a 13-year-old girl who di ...

, a character from ''The Sarah Jane Adventures'' * Maria Renard, a character in the ''Castlevania'' video game series * Maria Robotnik, a character in the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' video game series *

, the main female protagonist from the musical ''The Sound of Music'' * Lady Maria of the Astral Clocktower, a boss character from ''The Old Hunters'' DLC for the video game ''Bloodborne'' * Maria Calavera, a supporting character in the animated web series ''

RWBY ''RWBY'' (pronounced "Ruby") is an American anime-influenced computer-animated web series created by Monty Oum for Rooster Teeth. It is set in the fictional world of Remnant, where young people train to become warriors (called "Huntsmen" and ...

'' * Maria Fritz, the daughter of Ymir Fritz, namesake of Wall Maria and a minor character in the anime and manga '' Attack on Titan'' * Maria Wong, a character from the Canadian animated television series ''

Braceface ''Braceface'' is an animated television series that aired on Teletoon in Canada and the Fox Family Channel in the U.S. The series was produced by Nelvana and Jade Animation, the show features actress Alicia Silverstone from the movie ''Clueless' ...

Male (as part of a compound name or as a middle name)

* Carlo Maria Abate, Italian racecar driver * Alberto María de Agostini, Italian explorer *

Carlos María de Alvear Carlos María de Alvear (October 25, 1789 in Santo Ángel, Rio Grande do Sul – November 3, 1852 in New York), was an Argentine soldier and statesman, Supreme Director of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata in 1815. Early life H ...

, Argentine general * José María Aznar, Spanish politician, former Spanish prime minister *

Angelo Maria Bandini Angelo Maria Bandini (25 September 1726 – 1803) was an Italian author and librarian born in Florence. Biography Orphan since infancy, Angelo Maria was supported by his uncle, Giuseppe Bandini, a lawyer of some note. He was initially educated ...

, Italian author and librarian *

Antonio María Barbieri Antonio María Barbieri, O.F.M. Cap. (October 12, 1892 – July 6, 1979), born Alfredo Barbieri, was an Uruguayan cardinal of the Catholic Church. He served as Archbishop of Montevideo from 1940 to 1976, and was elevated to the cardinalate. Bi ...

, Uruguayan cardinal *

Ferdinand Maria, Elector of Bavaria Ferdinand Maria (31 October 1636 – 26 May 1679) was a Wittelsbach ruler of Bavaria and an elector ('' Kurfürst'') of the Holy Roman Empire from 1651 to 1679. Electoral Prince of Bavaria He was born in Munich. He was the eldest son of Maximi ...

Giovanni Maria Benzoni Giovanni Maria Benzoni (28 August 1809 – 28 April 1873) was an Italian neoclassical sculptor. He was trained in Rome, where he later set up his own workshop. Benzoni designed some of his sculptures with a production line in mind using ot ...

, Italian sculptor *

Matteo Maria Boiardo Matteo Maria Boiardo (, ; 144019/20 December 1494) was an Italian Renaissance poet, best known for his epic poem ''Orlando innamorato''. Early life Boiardo was born in 1440,

, Italian poet * Giovanni Maria Bottala, Italian painter *

Klaus Maria Brandauer Klaus Maria Brandauer (; born Klaus Georg Steng; 22 June 1943) is an Austrian actor and director. He is also a professor at the Max Reinhardt Seminar. Brandauer is known internationally for his roles in ''The Russia House'' (1990), ''Mephisto'' ...

, Austrian actor *

Giuseppe Maria Buonaparte '' Nobile'' Giuseppe Maria Buonaparte or Giuseppe Maria di Buonaparte (31 May 1713 – 13 December 1763) was a Corsican politician, better known as the paternal grandfather of Napoleon I of France. Early life He was the son of Sebastiano Nico ...

, Corsican politician * Carlo Maria Cipolla, Italian economic historian * Giovanni Carlo Maria Clari, Italian composer * Carlo Maria Curci, Italian theologian * Corrado Maria Daclon, Italian journalist * Felix Maria Diogg, Swiss painter * Timm Maria Franz Elstner, German TV host * Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, better known as Pope Pius IX * Johann Maria Farina, Italian-German perfumer * Carlo Innocenzio Maria Frugoni, Italian poet * Alessandro Maria Gaetano Galilei, Italian architect and mathematician * Giuseppe Maria Giulietti, Italian soldier * Carlo Maria Giulini, Italian conductor * Francesco Maria Grimaldi, Italian mathematician *

Christoph Maria Herbst Christoph Maria Herbst (born 9 February 1966) is a German actor and comedian. Early life Herbst was born in Wuppertal. After passing the Abitur, he became a trainee banker and was active at the free theatre scene in Wuppertal at the same time ...

, German actor *

Franco Maria Malfatti Franco Maria Malfatti (; 13 June 1927 – 10 December 1991) was an Italian politician who served as the 3rd President of the European Commission from 1970 to 1972. He served at Italian level as Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1979 ...

, Italian politician * Thomas Maria Mamachi, Italo-Greek Dominican theologian and historian * Antonio Maria Maraggiano, Italian sculptor *

Carlo Maria Martini Carlo Maria Martini (15 February 1927 – 31 August 2012) was an Italian Jesuit, cardinal of the Catholic Church and a Biblical scholar. He was Archbishop of Milan from 1980 to 2004 and was elevated to the cardinalate in 1983. A towering ...

, Italian cardinal *

Giovanni Maria Nanino Giovanni Maria Nanino (also Nanini; 1543 or 1544 – 11 March 1607) was an Italian composer and teacher of the late Renaissance. He was a member of the Roman School of composers, and was the most influential music teacher in Rome in the late 16 ...

, Italian composer * Tommaso Maria Napoli, Italian architect *

José María Olazábal José María Olazábal Manterola (, ; born 5 February 1966) is a Spanish professional golfer from the Basque region who has enjoyed success on both the European Tour and the PGA Tour, and has won two major championships, both at The Masters. ...

, Spanish golfer *

Francesco Maria Piave Francesco Maria Piave (18 May 18105 March 1876) was an Italian opera librettist who was born in Murano in the lagoon of Venice, during the brief Napoleonic Kingdom of Italy. Career Piave's career spanned over twenty years working with many of th ...

, Italian librettist * Carlo Maria Pintacuda, Italian racecar driver * Francesco Maria Pritilli, Italian scholar and antiquarian *

Erich Maria Remarque Erich Maria Remarque (, ; born Erich Paul Remark; 22 June 1898 – 25 September 1970) was a German-born novelist. His landmark novel ''All Quiet on the Western Front'' (1928), based on his experience in the Imperial German Army during World ...

, German author *

Franco Maria Ricci Franco Maria Ricci (2 December 1937 – 10 September 2020) was an Italian art publisher and magazine editor. Amongst his publications is '' FMR'', a Milan-based bi-monthly art magazine published in Italian, English, German, French, and Spanish for ...

, Italian art publisher * Rainer Maria Rilke, German poet *

Jan Maria Rokita Jan Władysław Rokita (, born 18 June 1959, in Kraków) is a Polish liberal politician, a member of the Sejm, the lower chamber of the Polish parliament. He was chairman of the parliamentary club of the Civic Platform party from 2003 to 2005. H ...

, Polish politician * Anton Maria Schyrleus of Rheita, Czech astronomer * Juan Carlos Alfonso Víctor María de Borbón y Borbón-Dos Sicilias, king of Spain * Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Silvester Maria Stuart, leader of the Jacobite rebellion * José María Canlás Sison, Filipino activist and founder of the Communist Party of the Philippines * Victor Maria Regis Sotto (born 1989), Filipino politician *

Giuseppe Maria Tomasi Joseph Mary Tomasi ( it, Giuseppe Maria Tomasi di Lampedusa)(12 September 1649 – 1 January 1713) was an Italian Theatine Catholic priest, scholar, reformer and cardinal. His scholarship was a significant source of the reforms in the li ...

, Italian cardinal and saint * Giovanni Maria Trabaci, Italian composer * Antonio Maria Vassallo, Italian painter * Francesco Maria Veracini, Italian composer and violinist *

Gianni Versace Giovanni Maria "Gianni" Versace (; 2 December 1946 – 15 July 1997) was an Italian fashion designer, socialite and businessman. He was the founder of Versace, an international luxury-fashion house that produces accessories, fragrances, make-u ...

born Giovanni Maria Versace, Italian fashion designer * Filippo Maria Visconti, Duke of Milan *

Gian Maria Visconti Gian Maria Visconti (or Giovanni Maria; 7 September 1388 – 16 May 1412) was the second Visconti Duke of Milan, the son of Gian Galeazzo Visconti and Caterina Visconti. He was known to be cruel and was eventually assassinated. He had no children ...

, Duke of Milan * Gian Maria Volonté, Italian actor *

Carl Maria von Weber Carl Maria Friedrich Ernst von Weber (18 or 19 November 17865 June 1826) was a German composer, conductor, virtuoso pianist, guitarist, and critic who was one of the first significant composers of the Romantic era. Best known for his operas, ...

, German composer *

Edward Maria Wingfield Edward Maria Wingfield, sometimes hyphenated as ''Edward-Maria Wingfield'' (1550 in Stonely Priory, near Kimbolton – 1631) was a soldier, Member of Parliament, (1593) and English colonist in America. He was the son of Thomas Maria Wingfield, ...

, English explorer *

Tommaso Maria Zigliara Tommaso Maria Zigliara, OP (29 October 1833 – 11 May 1893) was a Corsican priest of the Catholic Church, a member of the Dominicans, a theologian, philosopher and a cardinal. Early life Zigliara was born on 29 October 1833 at Bonifacio a se ...

, Italian cardinal * Maximilian Maria Kolbe, Polish Conventual Franciscan * Karl-Theodor Maria Nikolaus Johann Jacob Philipp Franz Joseph Sylvester Freiherr von und zu Guttenberg *

Juan María Bordaberry Juan María Bordaberry Arocena (; 17 June 1928 – 17 July 2011) was a Uruguayan politician and cattle rancher, who served as constitutional President from 1972 until 1973, and then ruled as the head of a civilian-military dictatorship up t ...

, Uruguayan dictator * Franz Joseph Hermann Michael Maria von Papen, Erbsälzer zu Werl und Neuwerk, German politician, diplomat, Prussian nobleman and General Staff officer

References