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Etymology:

Mary - meaning "star of the sea" - Latin
Mary - Meaning "wished-for child", "rebellion", "sea of bitterness" - Hebrew
Mary - meaning "the perfect one", "bitter with sorrow" - Irish/Scottish/Welsh

ORIGIN & HISTORY:

The name, Mary, can be traced back to the Hebrew Scriptures where we find it was a variant for the name, Marian. The name has been highly venerated by the Catholic Church since the 3rd century and has spread largely through Christianity. Haled as the mother of Jesus, referred to as the Madonna (Our Lady) since medieval times, or blessed Virgin Mary, the name is quite popular. "Mary" was a middle Anglicized name by the French derived from the name Maria.

POPULARITY:

The name Mary ranked 84th in 2006 in United States and 73rd in Ireland in 2006. It ranked 48th in 2005 in Ireland. In Belgium it placed 1,459 in 2005. Throughout the 1900-1950's the name peaked in popularity as number one in the United States. This might be due to the fact that during this period the Catholic faith had expanded memberships and the immigration of Irish Catholic people. During the 12th century it began to be used in England and it is recorded in the 16th century as being the most.

FASCINATING FACTS:

It is said that the nursery rhyme "Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow" originated as a result of Mary Queen of Scots' contrariness when her well-attended gardens did not produce as well as she wanted!

There are 21 Saint Days" to celebrate saints with the name Mary by the Catholic faith.

Mary Flora Bell, born in UK in 1957 was known as the youngest serial killer. Of one of her young victims, she said: "Brian Howe wont be missed, he has no mother". Prime Minister Tony Blair, upon her release after 23 years from a reform school and her selling her book "Unheard Cries" published in 1998, was publicly outraged as was the rest of England at her making money off the book!

What does Mary Kathleen Campbell, Mary Ann Mobley and Mary Margaret O'Hare have in common? All were winners of the Miss America pageant in 1922, 1959 and 1988 respectively.

There is an interesting story of a St. Mary of Egypt; born 344 died 421. As a young girl, wealthy and beautiful, she ran away from home (even way back then teenagers had problems) and led a debauched life. She had a conversion and spent 50 years in the desert doing penance.
What is she the patron saint of? Penitent women and prostitutes.

NAMESAKES:

The Queen Mary luxury linger served in the 2nd World War transporting soldiers. She is

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