Mary

Original meaning uncertain; “beloved” is one proposed interpretation.

Mary has a quiet, classic feel: the rounded opening m and light final vowel give its short shape a softness without making it sound like an unfinished longer name. It can appeal if you like an understated name with a substantial history behind it. Its Christian connection comes especially from Mary, the mother of Jesus. That religious association is different from the name’s literal meaning. “Beloved” is an attractive proposed meaning, linked to a possible Egyptian root behind Miryam, but it is not a settled translation. Mary is a full name in its own right. Maria and Marie belong to the same name family; Molly and Polly developed as English pet forms. If you prefer the simplicity of Mary, there is no need to add a longer formal version. In English, the first syllable carries the stress and the final y sounds like the ending of happy.

Etymology: Mary is an English form of Maria. Its history leads through French, Latin and Greek to Hebrew Miryam, also represented by Miriam; the older name’s meaning remains uncertain.