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Mária is the Slovak and Hungarian form of Maria, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Miryam, whose precise meaning remains debated but is often connected to roots suggesting "beloved," "bitter," or "drop of the sea." The name gained widespread use across Christian Europe through veneration of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, and became one of the most common feminine names in Catholic-majority regions. In Slovakia and Hungary it remains a perennial classic, often celebrated on feast days associated with Marian devotion. Closely related forms include Maria, Mary, Marie, Marika, and Marija.