In the 1990 U.S. census, “Mary” was the name of more women and girls than any other name.

The most famous “Mary” is Mary the mother of Jesus. Most of our Mary’s were likely named for that Mary, who “at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold” laid her new-born son in a manger and waited for the Wise Men, who will arrive about eleven days from now, on January 6th, the feast of the Epiphany.

What does Mary mean?

Mary is the English form of the Hebrew name for a girl child named Miriam. In the Old Testament, Miriam was the sister of Moses. According to the experts on the Internet, the meaning of Miriam or Mary is unclear. It may mean “wished-for-child,” “bitter,” “rebellious,” “strong waters,” “beloved,” or “love.” Etymologically speaking, it appears to be difficult for those experts to single out and land on one meaning for the name “Mary.” Perhaps, this may be the best interpretation. In other words, perhaps there are many equally appropriate and applicable interpretations of Mary and her name, and they all apply to her. And, perhaps, this interpretation is how we know her, and those named for her, today.

In French, Marie.

In German, Dutch, Austrian, Spanish and Italian, Maria.

In Albanian, Armenian, Basque, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Finnish, Irish, Norwegian, Polish, Welsh and American English, Mary.

Do you begin to see a trend?

Mary is pretty much Mary everywhere you go.

In languages with other alphabets and in countries I haven’t listed, Mary is Mary, and she seems to be Mary in every land and every language.

This may give one pause for thought, wonder why and, in passing, a comfort to know that however far we travel, Mary will be Mary at day’s end and Mary when tomorrow’s light dawns bright again.

Wish a Mary Hello for me,

Grandpa Jim