| Mary | Isabella | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Of debated origin | Pledged to God |
| Origin | Hebrew | Hebrew |
| Gender | Girl | Girl |
| Pronunciation | MAIR-ee | iz-uh-BEL-uh |
| Syllables | 2 | 4 |
| First appeared | 1880 | 1880 |
| Peak year | 1921 (73,984) | 2010 (22,936) |
| In 2025 | 2,230 | 10,666 |
| Trend | Declining | Declining |
Source: US Social Security Administration.
| Decade | Mary | Isabella |
|---|---|---|
| 2020s | 12,985 | 67,643 |
| 2010s | 25,693 | 170,605 |
| 2000s | 46,337 | 149,571 |
| 1990s | 75,723 | 18,762 |
| 1980s | 95,862 | 567 |
| 1970s | 126,254 | 296 |
| 1960s | 355,240 | 429 |
| 1950s | 625,606 | 590 |
| 1940s | 640,080 | 774 |
| 1930s | 573,000 | 1,079 |
| 1920s | 701,755 | 2,095 |
| 1910s | 478,636 | 2,046 |
| 1900s | 161,504 | 1,038 |
| 1890s | 131,138 | 903 |
| 1880s | 91,668 | 603 |
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.
Isabella is a Latinate form of Elizabeth, from the Hebrew Elisheva, “God is my oath” — one pledged or devoted to God.
Isabella is more popular than Mary today: about 10,666 US babies were given the name Isabella in 2025, compared with 2,230 named Mary.
Mary means Of debated origin (Hebrew origin), while Isabella means Pledged to God (Hebrew origin).
In US records, Mary first appears in 1880 and Isabella in 1880, so Mary has the longer recorded history.