Mari
How to say it: MAH-ree · /ˈmɑri/
Short form of Maria/Mary (Hebrew: 'beloved' or 'bitter'); also an independent Japanese name meaning 'true reason' or 'ball'.
Mari was the 1,272nd most popular girls’ name in the United States in 2025, given to 129 babies (Social Security Administration). Its busiest decade was the 1950s, its births are up about 46% in ten years, and it is projected to rise to #1,117 by 2030.
Updated · SSA 2025 data, published May 2026 · Insee 2025 data, published July 2026 · How we compute these figures
Key facts
| Rank among girls’ names, 2025 | #1,272 |
|---|---|
| Babies born in 2025 | 129 |
| Share of births | 1 in 25,700 |
| Peak decade | 1950s |
| Change over 10 years | +46% |
| Projected rank for 2030 (estimate) | #1,117 |
| In France, 2025 | #2,541 among girls’ names, 5 births |
Sources: Social Security Administration (SSA), Insee (France). How we compute these figures.
Its life, decade by decade
Far below its high in the 1950s, Mari continues in quiet but steady use. A gentle lift is expected in the next few years.
What goes with it
Gentle and soft with an easy sound that travels well. Maya makes a lovely companion in style.
Honouring a Mari in the family
- Mariaequivalent
- Maryequivalent
- Mariyaequivalent
- Mairequivalent
In the classroom
In a class of 25 children born in 2025, the chance that another child is called Mari is about under 1 in 200.
Around the world
This spelling is used in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Japanese, Norwegian, Portuguese, Spanish, Swedish, Welsh.
In France: #2,541 for girls in 2025.
Famous people named Mari
- Mari Kiviniemi (born 1968)Finnish politician
- Mari Kawamura (born 1988)Japanese association football player
- Mari Boine (born 1956)Northern Sámi singer from Norway
From Wikidata and Wikipedia
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