What is the Most Common Female Name in the Bible?
Quick Summary
The most common female name in the Bible is Mary, with at least six different women in the New Testament bearing the name. Originating from the Hebrew name Miryam (or Miriam), Mary was a prevalent name in Jewish communities during the Second Temple period. This blog post examines each biblical Mary and explains why this name holds such prominence in Scripture.
Introduction: How We're Counting Names
When determining the most common female name in the Bible, we’re not just tallying up how many times a name appears; we're identifying how many distinct individuals share the same name. While some names are repeated in passing or in genealogies, others appear frequently in narrative contexts, offering more visibility and familiarity.
In this post, we focus on narrative presence rather than raw mention count. We’ve reviewed both Old and New Testament texts and noted the number of clearly distinct women who share the same name. The result is clear: Mary is the most common.
Why Mary Is the Most Common Female Name in the Bible
The name "Mary" comes from the Hebrew Miryam, also rendered as Miriam. It was a popular name during the time of Jesus, partly because of the influence of Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron (Exodus 15:20), who was a prophetess and a respected figure in Jewish memory.
During the Second Temple period, naming girls after Miriam became common. The Greek transliteration of Miryam became Maria or Mariam, which the English Bible renders as Mary.
There are at least six distinct Marys mentioned in the New Testament:
1. Mary, the Mother of Jesus
Without question, the most well-known Mary. She plays a central role in the Gospel narratives:
Luke 1:26–38: The angel Gabriel announces Jesus' birth to her.
John 2:1–12: She urges Jesus to perform his first miracle at the wedding in Cana.
John 19:25: She stands at the foot of the cross.
2. Mary Magdalene
A devoted follower of Jesus, Mary Magdalene is mentioned in all four Gospels:
Luke 8:2: Described as a woman healed of seven demons.
John 20:1–18: She is the first to witness the resurrection.
3. Mary of Bethany
Sister of Martha and Lazarus, she appears prominently in the Gospel of John:
John 11:1–44: Present at the resurrection of Lazarus.
John 12:1–8: Anoints Jesus’ feet with costly perfume.
4. Mary, Mother of James and Joses
One of the women who witnessed Jesus' crucifixion:
Matthew 27:56: Listed among the women at the cross.
Mark 15:40: Same account from Mark's Gospel.
5. Mary, Wife of Clopas
Possibly the same as the mother of James and Joses, or a separate individual:
John 19:25: Identified at the cross, standing with Mary the mother of Jesus.
6. Mary, Mother of John Mark
Mentioned in Acts as a leader in the early church:
Acts 12:12: Hosts a prayer meeting during Peter’s imprisonment.
Why This Matters
The prominence of the name Mary reflects both a cultural reality and a theological resonance. Just as many boys were named Joseph or Simon, many girls were named Mary in honor of Miriam. But the name took on special meaning in the early church because of the women who bore it—each playing a vital role in the life of Jesus and the early Christian community.
Understanding that multiple Marys appear in Scripture helps readers navigate the Gospel narratives more clearly. It also honors the contributions of women who followed Jesus, bore witness to his ministry, and sustained the early church through faith, service, and leadership.
Study Notes
Scholars estimate that Mary was one of the most common Jewish names for women in first-century Palestine. Richard Bauckham, in Jesus and the Eyewitnesses (Eerdmans, 2006), notes that "Mary" was borne by approximately one in four Jewish women at the time (see pp. 67–70).
Another helpful source is Tal Ilan’s Lexicon of Jewish Names in Late Antiquity, which catalogs Jewish names and shows the high frequency of Miryam among women of the period.
Conclusion
There is no female name more common or more theologically rich in the Bible than Mary. Through the lives of these six women—mother, witness, follower, sister, host, and mourner—we see faith in action and the enduring legacy of those who bore this name.
FAQ
How many women named Mary are in the Bible?
At least six distinct women named Mary appear in the New Testament.
Is Mary the most mentioned woman in the Bible?
Yes, particularly Mary the mother of Jesus. She appears throughout the Gospels and Acts.
Are all the Marys in the Bible the same person?
No. The name was very common, and several different women share the name. Some overlap is possible, but most are treated as distinct figures.
