I’m going to reveal my inner romantic big time here, but I musicals. I sing “How [name_f]Do[/name_f] You [name_f]Solve[/name_f] a Problem Like [name_u]Maria[/name_u]?” probably too often for someone of my generation Also, I’m a big classic movie fan, so [name_u]Maria[/name_u] would fit for any brazen heroine a la [name_f]Katharine[/name_f] Hepburn or [name_f]Grace[/name_f] [name_u]Kelly[/name_u].
However, few people questions:
Nameberry says [name_u]Maria[/name_u] is pronounced “Muh-rye-uh” in [name_f]England[/name_f]. Is that true? I pronounce [name_u]Maria[/name_u] like “Mu-ree-uh.”
[name_u]Maria[/name_u] rhymes with two terrible things that I will blur out for those who don’t wish to see — diarrhea and gonorrhea [name_m]Will[/name_m] this be a problem?
What do you think of the name [name_u]Maria[/name_u]?
I haven’t a clue, but I do know that was the original pronunciation of the name in [name_f]English[/name_f]. However, external influence made [name_f]Mar[/name_f]-ee-ah (the Latin pronunciation) more common.
Given that it’s such a common and well-known name, it’s not an issue at all!
It’s a lovely name that’s used less than one would expect in the US. It’s near the top of my list for girls. It ages amazingly.
I don’t know if that’s how it is in [name_f]England[/name_f]. The only time I’ve heard [name_u]Maria[/name_u] pronounced that way is in “historical” films.
I honestly don’t think anyone would make the connection.
It’s a little dated to me, but I can see the appeal. ((the most beautiful sound I ever heard • [name_u]Maria[/name_u], [name_u]Maria[/name_u], [name_u]Maria[/name_u]))
I don’t know how common that is now, but I have heard it pronounced that way in numerous British dramas set pre-20th century.
Yeah, but so do a lot of other popular names, from [name_f]Mia[/name_f] to [name_f]Leah[/name_f] to [name_f]Sophia[/name_f]. (I would never go for [name_f]Rhea[/name_f] because of that, but any other -ia names are fine, imho.) The spelling is different anyway – -ria vs -rhea.
I think it is a truly timeless classic. It definitely brings to mind [name_u]Maria[/name_u] from The Sound of [name_f]Music[/name_f], which is a wonderful association, I think! But it does feel rather Catholic to me – not a bad thing, just something to consider. Overall, I think [name_u]Maria[/name_u] is way underappreciated and deserves more use.
I’m [name_u]Christian[/name_u], so the Catholic associations don’t bother me. But do you think the name [name_u]Maria[/name_u] is so tied to Catholic countries like [name_f]Italy[/name_f] and Mexico that the name [name_u]Maria[/name_u] would sound unusual on a person who isn’t from those kind of cultures?
To my knowledge, most people in [name_f]England[/name_f] would say muh-REE-uh. The “[name_f]Mariah[/name_f]” pronunciation for [name_u]Maria[/name_u] is historical and would only be used by a minority of people these days. Like so-FY-uh for [name_f]Sophia[/name_f].
I don’t think so. Loads of women have this name worldwide… I don’t think it’s a problem, personally. Plus, it isn’t an exact rhyme.
I know a lovely [name_u]Maria[/name_u] so I have nothing but positive associations with this name. I am considering using it myself as a middle name. It is classic, sophisticated and multicultural, and has many interesting namesakes.
I say mu-ree-uh. I never even noticed its similarity with those words before you pointed it, so I can’t see an issue. [name_u]Maria[/name_u] is elegant and sophisticated, I used to not like it but it’s growing on me.
1)Muh-rye-uh was the traditional pn but I think most people would say muh-ree-uh
i think it’s fine. It’s a fairly well used name so I don’t think that’s too much of a problem. [name_f]Lydia[/name_f] rhymes with something bad too and that’s still fairly popular
Maria is my name! And I have always liked it. It’s funny that you mention the unfortunate rhyming words… [name_f]My[/name_f] nickname was “[name_f]Di[/name_f]” growing up, and we even had a little rhyming song . It was all in good fun though. [name_u]Maria[/name_u] is a beautiful classic that is very multi-cultural. It used to be one of the most popular names in the world, but is not used as often nowadays. I pronounce my name Muh-REE-uh and I live in the US.
Can’t answer this because I’m not [name_f]England[/name_f]-based.
They’re near rhymes rather than true rhymes so this doesn’t seem to be a huge issue, just maybe over thinking it. If [name_u]Maria[/name_u] was 4 syllables it might be a different story.
It does ring kind of older to me but at the same time, I grew up with one (currently 24), had a 4 years younger [name_u]Maria[/name_u] as a neighbor, and knew of one a few grades ahead of me in school. I think it could be fresh depending on local naming trends. I think it has much nicer meaning than my name which is supposedly a form of it. I would only really caution against using it if your surname is very common as there could be some issues with that as she grows up
I live in [name_f]England[/name_f] and never heard anyone pronounce [name_u]Maria[/name_u] muh rye uh that’s the pronunciation for [name_f]Mariah[/name_f] not [name_u]Maria[/name_u]. I pronounce mu ree ah the same as you so I wouldn’t worry about that.
until you pointed that rhyming issue I would never have made the connection so wouldn’t worry about that!
it’s a very religious spiritual choice can definitely see the appeal but for me it isn’t a favourite I prefer [name_u]Marie[/name_u].
I’ve always said [name_f]Mariah[/name_f] as Muh-rye-uh. I pronounce [name_u]Maria[/name_u] like you!
It’s such a loved, beautiful classic that I didn’t think you can go wrong with it. The rhyming is not a big problem in my eyes, as [name_u]Maria[/name_u] is so widely used and common.
I like it personally and have many lovely connections to this name.
Maria in Spanish is pronounce MAR-EE-AHH sometimes a yah depending on the accent, I think [name_f]Mariah[/name_f] may be the variation your thinking of? Not from [name_f]England[/name_f] but I feel it isn’t the most common if not at all but a dead pronunciation?
No I think that’s overthinking it though if you end up having the correlation it probably ruin the name so avoid it if it’s at the back of your mind
I’m Mexican so it’s very common I stay away from it however due to the racist stereotype Americans have of Mexican women and that name, it’s unfortunate but makes me very much avoid it, I also think given that stereotype in American it should probably be greatly avoided by anybody who isn’t commonly associated with that, however I don’t think your American
musicals. I sing “How [name_f]Do[/name_f] You [name_f]Solve[/name_f] a Problem Like [name_u]Maria[/name_u]?” probably too often for someone of my generation 
Also, I’m a big classic movie fan, so [name_u]Maria[/name_u] would fit for any brazen heroine a la [name_f]Katharine[/name_f] Hepburn or [name_f]Grace[/name_f] [name_u]Kelly[/name_u].
. It was all in good fun though. [name_u]Maria[/name_u] is a beautiful classic that is very multi-cultural. It used to be one of the most popular names in the world, but is not used as often nowadays. I pronounce my name Muh-REE-uh and I live in the US.
. Also its a form of my name so that’s fun