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Maria

Girl name · 2,408 babies recorded · 1974–2025

Maria: 2,408 babies born in Scotland since 1974, given to girls, peaking at 74 births in 1974.

Of Latin origin, Maria is the New Testament Greek and Latin form of Miriam, a name of Hebrew origin meaning 'wished-for child' or 'beloved'. It remains one of the most enduring names across cultures, most famously borne by the Virgin Mary in Christian tradition, as well as Queen Marie Antoinette of France and the late Scottish singer and actress Maria Callas. The name echoes through Scottish geography too: the village of Marykirk in Aberdeenshire honours the same root. Variants abound globally, from the Scottish Màiri to the French Marie, but Maria itself sits with elegant simplicity—it has ranked among Scotland's top 50 names for over a decade, beloved for its timeless, cross-cultural charm.