Maria
bitter, beloved, or wished-for child (Hebrew via Latin)
Maria is a spanish / biblical girl name in the Philippines. In the civil registry as of May 2021 it is number 14, with 154,570 records. It has 3 syllables.
Origin and meaning
bitter, beloved, or wished-for child (Hebrew via Latin)
Derived from the Hebrew Miryam via Latin and Greek, Maria has been the single most ubiquitous female name in the Philippines since the Spanish colonial era. It is traditionally bestowed in honor of the Virgin Mary, either as a standalone name or as the first component of compound Christian names.
Maria is the Latin and Spanish form of the New Testament Greek Μαρία (Maria), which derives from the Hebrew name Miryam. In the Philippines, its widespread usage is deeply rooted in Spanish Catholic evangelization and devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Name character
In the Philippines
Very frequently used as the first part of compound given names (e.g., Maria Cristina, Maria Theresa, Maria Elena), frequently abbreviated as 'Ma.' on birth certificates and official IDs. Common standalone nicknames include Maring, Ria, May, and Marie.
Related forms
- Mary English
- Marie French
- Miryam Hebrew
- Maria Italian
Would your family give Maria?
Mark it if your family would give this first name. The count is for 2026 on this site. It is not the civil registry, and it is not babies registered in 2024. One browser can choose a name once in the year.
No family on this site has marked Maria for 2026 yet.
Maria with common surname pairs
Each pair is a mother's maiden surname plus a father's surname. The number is the sound-fit score for this first name.
Related girl names
About the name Maria
How do I use Maria with two Filipino surnames?
Maria is the given name. The full name is Maria + mother's maiden surname + father's surname. Score a pair from a combination page or the homepage search.
Is Maria a common girl name in the Philippines?
In the civil registry as of May 2021, Maria is number 14, with 154,570 records. That is not the 2024 birth list, and it does not say the name is a better choice. How it sounds with both family surnames is a separate score.