Maryland

Maryland is a female given name of English origin. It means "from the land of Mary." The name is derived from the Virgin Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ in Christian religion. Maryland was originally used as a surname for someone who lived near or owned land dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The name Maryland gained popularity during the Middle Ages in England when devotion to the Virgin Mary was particularly strong among Catholics. It became even more popular with the establishment of the colony of Maryland in North America in 1634 by Cecil Calvert, a Catholic nobleman who named the colony after his mother, Lady Mary Hariot. Over time, Maryland has been used as both a surname and a given name. Today, it is still considered a classic yet uncommon name for girls. Despite its religious origins, Maryland is often chosen by parents simply because they like how it sounds or its association with the state of Maryland in the United States.