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Mária is the Slovak and Hungarian form of Maria, itself the Latin and Greek rendering of the Hebrew name Miryam, whose precise root meaning is debated but is often connected to meanings such as "beloved," "bitter," or "drop of the sea." The name gained enormous prominence throughout the Christian world through the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus, making it one of the most widely used female names in European history. Mária remains especially common in Slovakia and Hungary, where it has been borne by numerous queens and saints. Closely related forms include María, Marie, Mary, Mária, Marion, and Miriam.