Marie: Name Meaning, Origin, Popularity, & Inspiration

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1. Home
2. Baby Names

Marie

The name Marie is Hebrew for "bitter" or "the star of the sea." It is also French for "beloved" or "wished-for child."

- 9% this year Feminine Rare

Tara Rhiannon Dawn Fietz, BA, MFA

| Updated: March 25, 2025

Tara Rhiannon Dawn Fietz, BA, MFA

| Updated: March 25, 2025 Table of contents

Girl name origins & meanings

What does Marie mean and stand for?

Meaning:

• Hebrew: Bitter; the star of the sea; rebellion
• French: Beloved or wished-for child; sea of bitterness

Gender: Female

Syllables: 2

Pronunciation: The name Marie is pronounced muh-REE

Marie, a name with a rich history and depth, takes its roots from the French variation of Mary, which itself is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam. This name has been borne by royalty, saints, and notable figures throughout history, symbolizing purity, grace, and rebellion. Its widespread use across cultures and times has made it a classic choice that continues to enchant parents and onlookers with its simple elegance.

Girl name variations

Maria Mary Marya Mariah Malia Ri Mar Maree Mari Merry Miriam Marian Mame Mamie Maymie Mayme May Mally Molly Polly Mara Maretta Marel Marella Maren Marlo Mariette Marieta Meriel Mimi Minette Minnie Minny Mitzi Madonna Marilla Marla Muriel Manon Manette Marija Marika Maire Mare Marquita Maure Mairin Mair Maura Maureen Moira Moire Moya Muire Masha Mairi Mariya Mashia Mash Mariath

How Popular Is The Name Marie

Family name origins & meanings

French and English: from the popular medieval female personal name, Latin Maria. This was the name of the mother of Christ in the New Testament, as well as several other New Testament figures. It derives from Aramaic Maryam (Biblical Hebrew Miryam), but the vernacular forms have been influenced by the Roman family name Marius (which is of uncertain origin). The Hebrew name is likewise of uncertain etymology, but perhaps means "wished-for child", from an Egyptian root mrj with the addition of the Hebrew feminine diminutive suffix -am. St. Jerome understood it as a compound of mar "drop" + yam "sea", which he rendered as Latin stilla maris, later altered to stella maris "star of the sea", whence the medieval Christian liturgical phrase.

French (Marié): nickname for a man newly married, from the past participle of marier "to marry."

Famous people with this first name

Marie Osmond

Marie in Pop Culture

Do you know these fictional characters that share this first name?

• Marie Schrader from Breaking Bad - The purple-loving, sharp-tongued sister-in-law of Walter White.
• Marie Barone from Everybody Loves Raymond - The overbearing, but caring mother of Ray Barone.
• Marie Curie from Radioactive - A depiction of the two-time Nobel Prize-winning scientist.
• Marie from The Aristocats - The adventurous and spirited white kitten.
• Marie Mjolnir from Soul Eater - The calm and collected death scythe with a nurturing side.

Popularity of the Name Marie

According to Social Security Administration data, the name Marie has been a classic choice in the United States, frequently appearing within the top 100 names during the early 20th century. Its popularity has waned slightly over the years but it remains a beloved choice for its elegance and simplicity.

Marie, a name of Hebrew and French origin meaning "star of the sea" or "sea of bitterness," has long been a classic and widely used name across various cultures and languages. This timeless name is the French form of Maria or Mary and has been consistently popular for centuries due to its elegance and simplicity.

Historically, there have been many notable figures named Marie, including Marie Curie, the pioneering physicist and chemist who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. The name has also been popular among royalty, such as Marie Antoinette, the famous Queen of France. In literature and media, characters named Marie appear in a variety of works, underscoring the name's ubiquity and resonance with audiences.

Nicknames for Marie

These shortened names can make great nicknames for your baby.

• Mari
• Ree
• Mimi
• Ria
• Mae

Appears On

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