The name Maria is derived from the Hebrew name Miriam which is of unknown meaning.
According to some theories, it is originally of Egyptian origin, and it could be derived from the word "mry" meaning "beloved".
Famous bearers
Bearers include Maria Callas (1923 - 1977), a Greek-American dramatic opera singer;
Maria Bello (born 1967), an American actress;
Maria Sharapova (born 1987), a Russian professional tennis player.
