| Mary | Hannah | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Of debated origin | grace, favour |
| Origin | Hebrew | hebrew |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | MAIR-ee | HAN-uh |
| Syllables | 2 | 2 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1921 (73,984) | 2000 (23,087) |
| In 2025 | 2,230 | 3,973 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Mary | Hannah |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 12,985 | 26,230 |
| 2010s | 25,693 | 64,506 |
| 2000s | 46,337 | 155,784 |
| 1990s | 75,723 | 158,818 |
| 1980s | 95,862 | 32,702 |
| 1970s | 126,254 | 4,544 |
| 1960s | 355,240 | 1,369 |
| 1950s | 625,606 | 1,447 |
| 1940s | 640,080 | 1,777 |
| 1930s | 573,000 | 2,126 |
| 1920s | 701,755 | 3,811 |
| 1910s | 478,636 | 4,465 |
| 1900s | 161,504 | 2,605 |
| 1890s | 131,138 | 3,021 |
| 1880s | 91,668 | 2,480 |
Mary descends through Greek Maria from the Hebrew Miriam. Its original meaning is debated — proposals include “sea of bitterness,” “beloved,” and “wished-for child.” Borne by Mary the mother of Jesus, it became one of the most enduring names in the Western world.
From Hebrew 'Channah' (חַנָּה) meaning grace or favour, from the root chen. The biblical mother of Samuel; the source name behind Anna, Anne, Ann and their many diminutives.
Hannah is more popular than Mary today: about 3,973 US babies were given the name Hannah in 2025, compared with 2,230 named Mary.
Mary means Of debated origin (Hebrew origin), while Hannah means grace, favour (hebrew origin).
In US records, Mary first appears in 1880 and Hannah in 1880, so Mary has the longer recorded history.