Best 100 Middle Names for Maria in 2023
Maria is a popular girl’s name in countries all over the world. With deep roots in Christianity, this timeless name has always been a favorite among parents and is one of the most widely-used M names.
If you’re considering naming your daughter Maria, we’ve compiled the best middle names for Maria below.
Meaning of the Name Maria
Maria originated as the female equivalent to the Old Roman masuline name Marius. It is believed to be formed from the Latin words mas meaning “masculine” or virile” and mare meaning “sea.”
When Christianity infiltrated Roman society becoming the state religion during the 4th century, the name Maria became the Latinized form of the Hebrew name Miriam (the root name for Mary).
The origins of Miriam are uncertain. One theory believes it is derived from the Egyptian word mry meaning “beloved.” Another theory suggests it comes from the Hebrew roots mar meaning “drop” and yam meaning “sea.” While others believe Miriam is derived from a word of unknown origin meaning “rebellion.”
| Origin | Latin |
| Pronunciation | mah-ree-ah |
Best Middle Names for Maria
If you’re looking for a classic middle name or something more modern we’ve put together a list of our favorites here.
- Maria Abigail
- Maria Adeline
- Maria Alexa
- Maria Amelia
- Maria Angelica
- Maria Annabelle
- Maria Belle
- Maria Bexley
- Maria Blair
- Maria Blake
- Maria Brielle
- Maria Brynlee
- Maria Camille
- Maria Capri
- Maria Celeste
- Maria Chanel
- Maria Cheyenne
- Maria Christine
- Maria Claire
- Maria Colette
- Maria Danielle
- Maria Darlene
- Maria Denise
- Maria Dior
- Maria Drew
- Maria Eileen
- Maria Eliana
- Maria Elizabeth
- Maria Eloise
- Maria Emila
- Maria Everly
- Maria Faith
- Maria Fiona
- Maria Finley
- Maria Florence
- Maria Genevieve
- Maria Gianna
- Maria Gisele
- Maria Grace
- Maria Haisley
- Maria Harlow
- Maria Haze
- Maria Holland
- Maria Inez
- Maria Irene
- Maria Isabelle
- Maria Isla
- Maria Jade
- Maria Jaelyn
- Maria Jane
- Maria Janelle
- Maria Jayleen
- Maria Jeanette
- Maria Josette
- Maria Joy
- Maria Julianna
- Maria June
- Maria Kate
- Maria Katherine
- Maria Kayleigh
- Maria Kinsley
- Maria Lark
- Maria Louise
- Maria Lucille
- Maria Luna
- Maria Mae
- Maria Maeve
- Maria Margot
- Maria Maude
- Maria Michaela
- Maria Michelle
- Maria Monroe
- Maria Nicole
- Maria Noelle
- Maria Naomi
- Maria Opal
- Maria Ophelia
- Maria Paige
- Maria Pearl
- Maria Penelope
- Maria Phoebe
- Maria Poppy
- Maria Rae
- Maria Renee
- Maria Rosalie
- Maria Rose
- Maria Ruth
- Maria Sage
- Maria Simone
- Maria Skyle
- Maria Sloane
- Maria Sophia
- Maria Sylvia
- Maria Tabitha
- Maria Theresa
- Maria Tianna
- Maria Victoria
- Maria Violet
- Maria Whitney
- Maria Wren
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How To Pick a Middle Name
Do You Need A Middle Name?
In short, no. You do not need to give your child a middle name. You can choose to only give your child a first name and last name. There are no laws or requirements in regard to middle names.
However, according to research in the European Journal of Social Psychology, using middle initials in your name increases people’s perception of your intelligence.
Providing your child with a middle name will help differentiate them from others who share their same name. It also gives them a second option. Some children choose to go by their middle names instead of their first names as they grow older.
We all know how important it is to find the perfect name for our children. But did you know that in some cultures, middle names can be used as a way to give your child an additional identity? A new connection with their family history or heritage.
Here we will explore the things you should consider when giving your children a middle name!
Family Names
A child’s middle name is a great way to honor a beloved family member. It could be someone who has passed or a living family member who means a lot to the parents. Middle names don’t need to be gender-specific, so this could be a good place to include male or female family members.
Some parents like to include family surnames, such as the mother’s maiden name, as a middle name. This allows both sides of the family to pass down their name to the child. Any name that is meaningful to the family can make a nice middle name.
Flow and Initials
Probably the most important thing parents think of when choosing their child’s name is how it all sounds together. The first, middle, and last name should flow nicely together.
Many popular middle names are short, one or two syllable names because they pair well with most first names.
If family members speak another language or have an accent, take into consideration how everyone will be pronouncing the names when determining how they fit together
Monograms are popular in Southern culture, but it is still helpful to consider your child’s initials regardless of where you live.
Monograms for women are typically in the order of first name initial, large last name initial, and then middle name initial.
For men, the initials are usually in order of first, middle, and then last name. Avoid spelling out unfortunate words with the initials.
Middle names and their initials can also be used for nicknames. For example, Mary Elizabeth can be shortened to Mary Beth. Or, Elizabeth Zoe can be shortened to the initials E. Z. As a nickname.
If you just can’t narrow it down to a first name and a middle name, you can always include multiple middle names. In the United States, most people only have one middle name, but it is common around the world to have two or more.
It is recommended not to add too many middle names though. Most paperwork only leaves a spot for a single middle name or initial and multiple names can lead to confusion.
Special Meanings
A child’s middle name is a great way to pay homage to anything that holds special meaning to the parents. Some inspiration for names includes:
- Influential people in your life
- Characters from books, movies, or television
- Locations that hold memories
- Languages that are important to the family
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First Name for Middle Name Maria
If you’re considering Maria as a middle name we’ve compiled a list of some great first name options here.
- Addison Maria
- Alexa Maria
- Alexandra Maria
- Allison Maria
- Arielle Maria
- Audrey Maria
- Beatrice Maria
- Bella Maria
- Beverly Maria
- Blakely Maria
- Brianna Maria
- Brooklyn Maria
- Cadence Maria
- Caroline Maria
- Catalina Maria
- Charlotte Maria
- Cora Maria
- Darla Maria
- Daisy Maria
- Dakota Maria
- Daphne Maria
- Diana Maria
- Dorothy Maria
- Eleanor Maria
- Elizabeth Maria
- Emerson Maria
- Eva Maria
- Everly Maria
- Felicity Maria
- Fiona Maria
- Gabriella Maria
- Gloria Maria
- Gracelynn Maria
- Gwendolyn Maria
- Harlow Maria
- Hannah Maria
- Harper Maria
- Hayden Maria
- Holland Maria
- Isabella Maria
- Isla Maria
- Jacqueline Maria
- Jenna Maria
- Jennifer Maria
- Joanna Maria
- Juliana Maria
- Kaylee Maria
- Kennedy Maria
- Kinsley Maria
- Lexi Maria
- Lillian Maria
- Londyn Maria
- Luna Maria
- Lydia Maria
- Mackenzie Maria
- Margaret Maria
- Marielle Maria
- Megan Maria
- Nadia Maria
- Natalie Maria
- Naomi Maria
- Penelope Maria
- Poppy Maria
- Raquel Maria
- Rosalie Maria
- Savannah Maria
- Scarlett Maria
- Sophia Maria
- Tabitha Maria
- Victoria Maria
- Whitney Maria
Nicknames for Maria
- Aria
- Ari
- Em
- Mar
- Maree
- Mari
- Mariah
- Marie
- Mary
- Mia
- Mimi
- Ree
Variations of Maria
- Miren (Basque)
- Mariam (Biblical Greek)
- Mai, Maiken, Maj, Maja, Majken, Maren, Mia (Danish)
- Marjo, Marie, Marja (Dutch)
- Mariah, Meleah, Marie, Mary (English)
- Maaria, Marja, Marje, Marjo (Finnish)
- Mari, Marietta, Marita, Meike, Mia, Mitzi, Ria (German)
- Mariella, Marietta (Italian)
- Mariya, Marya (Russian)
- Maj, Maja, Majken, Marika, Mia, My (Swedish)
Names Similar to Maria
- Alexandria
- Alicia
- Amy
- Andrea
- Andriana
- Angelina
- Anna
- April
- Brandy
- Bridget
- Brooke
- Carolina
- Carrie
- Christina
- Cynthia
- Dana
- Deborah
- Donna
- Elsa
- Eva
- Felicia
- Gina
- Heather
- Helen
- Isabella
- Jamie
- Jeanette
- Julie
- Kathy
- Kelly
- Kimberly
- Kristin
- Leah
- Lisa
- Lori
- Margarita
- Mary
- Melanie
- Michelle
- Natasha
- Patricia
- Rebecca
- Rosa
- Sherri
- Sonia
- Stacy
- Stephanie
- Tammy
- Teresa
- Tiffany
- Virginia
- Wendy
Sibling Boy Names that go with Maria
- Maria and Alexander
- Maria and Asher
- Maria and Benjamin
- Maria and Carter
- Maria and Dexter
- Maria and Edward
- Maria and Felix
- Maria and Finn
- Maria and Gavin
- Maria and Henry
- Maria and Ivan
- Maria and Kingston
- Maria and Lincoln
- Maria and Mason
- Maria and Miles
- Maria and Nolan
- Maria and Oliver
- Maria and Preston
- Maria and Ryder
- Maria and Sebastian
- Maria and Silas
- Maria and Timothy
- Maria and Vincent
- Maria and Vaughn
- Maria and Winston
Sibling Girl Names that go with Maria
- Maria and Angie
- Maria and Bella
- Maria and Charlotte
- Maria and Danielle
- Maria and Delilah
- Maria and Elizabeth
- Maria and Fiona
- Maria and Genevieve
- Maria and Harper
- Maria and Irene
- Maria and Jacqueline
- Maria and Kennedy
- Maria and Khloe
- Maria and Lillian
- Maria and Lucy
- Maria and Mary
- Maria and Nora
- Maria and Ophelia
- Maria and Penelope
- Maria and Poppy
- Maria and Quinn
- Maria and Rosalie
- Maria and Sophia
- Maria and Trinity
- Maria and Waverly
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History of the Name Maria
After Christianity infiltrated Roman society, Maria became seen as the Latin, Italian, and Spanish form of Mary, in honor of the Virgin Mary. Mary, the mother of Jesus, was first considered too holy for use as a given name. Eventually the name was embraced during the middle ages in the forms of Mary, Marie, and Maria.
Maria (Μαρία) along with Mariam (Μαριάμ) is the form of the name used in the New Testament. The name is also sometimes used as a masculine middle name, which is still the case in countries with strong Catholic traditions.
There are three other women named Maria in the New Testament. These include Maria Magdalena, Maria Salome, and Maria Betania.
The name Maria became so frequent in Christian tradition that compound names were developed. Examples of compound names include Anne-Marie, Marie-Louise, Margaret-Mary, Marie-Antoinette, Marie Elena, and Maria Theresa).
Maria has always been on the baby naming charts in the United States since they began keeping records. It first jumped into a top 100 name position in 1942, then again from 1944 through 2011.
Although it dropped below 100 in 2012, Maria still remains a top choice among parents. As of 2021, Maria ranks as the 106th most popular girl’s name in the United States.
Famous People with the Name Maria
| Saint Maria Goretti | Italian virgin martyr |
| Maria of Argon | Queen consort of Manuel I of Portugal |
| Maria I of Portugal | Queen of Portugal |
| Maria Bamford | American stand-up comedian, actress, and voice actress |
| Maria Beasley | American inventor of barrel-making machines |
| Maria Bello | American actress in the films Coyote Ugly and Prisoners and in the television series NCIS |
| Maria Callani | Italian 18th century portrait painter |
| Maria Callas | Greek-American soprano |
| Maria Ehren | Thai-Swedish singer and model who was crowned Miss Universe Thailand 2017 |
| Maria de Lourdes Villiers Farrow | (known as Mia Farrow) American actress who has appeared in more than 50 films |
| Maria Hofl-Riesch German | alpine skier and there-time Olympic champion |
| Maria Louise Eve | American poet during the late 19th Century |
| Maria Mazina | Russian Olympic champion épée fencer |
| Maria Montferrat | Queen of Jerusalem |
| Maria Pitillo | American actress in the film Godzilla and television series Providence |
| Maria Sharapova | Russian tennis player |
| Maria Sotskova | Russian figure skater |
| Maria von Trapp | stepmother and matriarch of the Trapp Family Singers |
| Maria Valverde | Spanish actress in the films Exodus: Gods and Kings and Broken Horses |
Fictional Characters Named Maria
| Maria | a character in the musical West Side Story |
| Maria | a character from William Shakespeare’s play Love’s Labour’s Lost |
| Maria Hill | a character in the Marvel Comics |
| Maria Jackson | a character in British television series The Sarah Jane Adventures |
| Maria Renard | a character in the video game series Castlevania |
| Maria Robotnik | a character in the video game series Sonic the Hedgehog |
| Maria Ruiz | a character on the television series Orange is the New Black |
| Maria Start | a character from Marvel’s Iron Man |
| Maria von Trapp | a character in the musical The Sound of Music |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maria a biblical name?
Yes, Maria is considered a biblical name. Maria is seen as the Latin, Italian, and Spanish form of the Virgin Mary. There are also three other Marias in the New Testament: Maria Magdalena, Maria Salome, and Maria Betania.
Is Maria a popular name?
Maria is a name that has maintained a healthy popularity since the medieval ages. In the United States, the name has never fallen below a top 200 rating, with its lowest ranking at 159 in 1916. Currently, Maria ranks as the 106th most popular girl’s name in 2021.
Is Ma short for Maria?
In the Filipino culture, women with two given names such as Maria Victoria sometimes choose to appreciate the common name Maria as Ma.
Final Thoughts on Middle Names for Maria
Maria is a sister name to the ever popular Mary and Marie feminine names. This classically feminine name has always been a favorite among parents and we don’t see it going anywhere anytime soon.
If you’re considering Maria for your baby girl, we hope our list of middle names has been useful!
MORE MIDDLE NAME IDEAS
Now that you’ve seen all the middle name ideas for Maria, you might want to check out some middle name ideas for these similar names!
- Middle Names for Amelia
- Middle Names for Anna
- Middle Names for Isabella
- Middle Names for Maya
- Middle Names for Natalia
If you’re looking for more middle name ideas, you can find all our lists in our Middle Names section.
For more baby name ideas and inspiration head over to our Baby Names section.
Krissy lives in California with her family of three that make up “The Hadicks.” With a passion for research and helping others, The Hadicks was developed as a resource for other parents and parents-to-be!