Jesus’ mother Mary is one of the most revered women in Christianity. She was chosen by God to give birth to Jesus Christ, the savior of humankind. But what was her actual name? In this article, we will explore what Mary’s real name likely was during her lifetime.
Mary’s Name in the Bible
In the New Testament of the Bible, Mary is referred to by several names and titles. She is called “Mary” which comes from the Hebrew name “Miriam.” She is also called the “Virgin Mary,” “Mother of Jesus,” and “Mother of God.” However, none of these are likely to be her real given name.
During biblical times, women were often identified by their relationship to patriarchs of the family. Mary is primarily known as the mother of Jesus or “Mother of God” in Christian theology. Her identity and importance are intrinsically linked to her role as Jesus’ mother. So her actual given name at birth is not stated explicitly in the Bible.
The Importance of Names in Jewish Culture
To understand what Mary’s name could have been, we must look at naming traditions in 1st century Jewish culture. In Judaism, names held deep spiritual and prophetic significance. Jewish parents would choose a name for their child that reflected their hopes and dreams for the child’s future.
Mary was raised as a young Jewish girl in Nazareth. It was customary back then for Jewish women to be identified by their father’s name. For example, “Mary daughter of Eli” or “Mary bat Eli.” Her birth name likely derived from her paternal lineage.
Miriam – The Most Common Theory
The most commonly accepted theory is that Mary’s real name was Miriam or Maryam. This is the Hellenized version of the Hebrew name מִרְיָם or Miryam used in the Old Testament. Miriam was the sister of Moses and Aaron in the Book of Exodus.
Several reasons support the idea that Mary was named Miriam at birth:
- Miriam was a very popular Jewish female name dating back centuries to Old Testament times. It was one of the top 5 most frequently given names for Jewish girls in the 1st century AD.
- Greek and Latin manuscripts of the New Testament call Mary “Maria” which directly translates to the Hebrew name Miriam or Maryam.
- Gospel of Luke chapter 1 states that Mary was a relative of Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist. Some scholars believe Elizabeth and Mary were cousins from the priestly family of Aaron. Miriam is identified as being from the priestly lineage of Aaron in the Old Testament.
So there is a strong case that Miriam was Mary’s birth name before she gained the title of “mother of Jesus.” Calling her Miriam or Maryam would have been customary for a young Jewish woman at the time.
Other Theories About Mary’s Name
Although Miriam seems to be the most agreed upon version of Mary’s real name, there are other theories as well:
Maryam or Mariamne
Greek versions of the New Testament sometimes spell Mary’s name as “Mariamne.” Similar to how Miriam became Maria over time. Mariamne was a fairly popular alternation of Maryam used by Jews in the 1st century.
Anna
Another claim is that Mary’s real name was Hannah or Anna after the prophetess Anna in Luke chapter 2. But there is not much evidence from Jewish naming tradition or biblical sources to support this.
Salome
A medieval text called the “Protoevangelium of James” lists Mary’s parents as Joachim and Anne. Some scholars argue Anne is derived from Hannah, and that Salome was Mary’s real name. But this is a much less common theory.
Overall, Miriam or Maryam seems to be the most likely given name for Mary before she became the mother of Jesus Christ.
Significance as “Virgin Mary”
After giving birth to Jesus, Mary gained the title “Virgin Mary” referring to the Christian doctrine that she conceived Jesus while still a virgin. The gospels of Matthew and Luke affirm Mary’s lifelong virginity and lack of marital relations after Jesus was born.
Mary’s perpetual virginity made her a model of humility, spirituality, and sacrifice within the Catholic faith. Her significance stems from bearing the Son of God, not her given name at birth. This could explain why her name prior to motherhood was not recorded explicitly in the Bible.
Other names for the Virgin Mary based on spiritual attributes include:
- Our Lady – refers to Mary as ideal model of womanhood and motherhood
- Queen of Heaven
- Star of the Sea
- Mother of Mercy
- Mediatrix of All Graces
These titles emphasize Mary’s virtues and closeness with Jesus Christ throughout her life. Her identity is deeply intertwined with being the mother of the Savior.
Mary in Early Christian Tradition
In the 2nd century, St. Irenaeus of Lyon became the first early church father to call Mary the “Virgin Mary” or “Blessed Virgin Mary.” This set the precedent for veneration of her perpetual virginity and sinlessness within Christianity. As doctrine developed, Mary’s importance and sanctity became closely tied to her miraculous birth of Christ.
Other prominent early Christians emphasized the significance of Mary’s spiritual character more than her given name. For instance:
- Saint Augustine described Mary as a model of grace and virtue.
- Saint Ambrose viewed Mary as the “Temple of God” who miraculously became Christ’s gateway to humanity.
- Saint Jerome praised Mary’s virtue and argued that all women should follow her example of purity and obedience.
As these influential male church figures shaped early Christianity, they focused on Mary’s divine maternity and sinless virtue – not her identity before becoming the mother of Jesus.
Veneration of Mary’s Name and Iconography
By the Middle Ages, Mary became a central figure of devotion in medieval Christianity. Artwork, iconography, and literature emphasized symbolic depictions of her as the Madonna or “Mother of God.”
Chants, hymns, and prayers began venerating her name as well. The “Ave Maria” or “Hail Mary” prayer developed in the 11th century and remains an essential Marian prayer today:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
This prayer honors both her role as Jesus’ mother and her virtue. The name Maria or Mary became a symbol of her revered status as Virgin Mary.
Similarly, great medieval cathedrals like Notre Dame were dedicated to Mary. Gothic architecture emphasized her position as Queen of Heaven through statues, stained glass, and other Christian iconography.
By the late Middle Ages, Mary became the predominant female saint. Relics and miracles were attributed to her name and image. But her identity and life prior to conceiving Jesus remained relatively unknown.
Mary’s Name in the Modern Era
Protestant reformers like Martin Luther later criticized excess veneration of Mary. But her significance in Roman Catholic and Orthodox worship continued. As a result, her perpetual virginity remains a source of theological debate between Protestants and Catholics.
Modern scholars and theologians have tried to find more humanizing details about Mary’s background using historical information about Jewish culture and women. But her real name remains somewhat elusive.
Despite this, Mary has impacted billions of lives for 2,000 years. Countless churches, schools, hospitals, and girls have been named in her honor. Her wide appeal stems from her example of maternal love, virtue, faith, and sacrifice. For believers worldwide, she remains first and foremost “Virgin Mary.”
Conclusion
The gospels and biblical sources do not directly reveal Mary’s actual birth name. But based on Jewish naming traditions and linguistic connections, most scholars believe it was likely a version of Miriam or Maryam. While Mary probably had a very different identity growing up as a Jewish girl in 1st century Palestine, her name and experiences prior to conceiving Jesus fade away in scripture compared to her miraculous motherhood. As she becomes the “Virgin Mary,” her symbolic significance and virtue eclipse her earlier identity. Revered by Catholics, Orthodox Christians, and even Muslims, Mary stands as one of the most iconic maternal figures in human history.