Maija

Maija is a Finnish and Latvian form of Mary, ultimately derived from the Hebrew name Miryam, whose original meaning is debated but commonly interpreted as beloved, sea of bitterness, or drop of the sea. The name has been widely used in Finland and Latvia for centuries, carried along by the spread of Christian tradition and the veneration of the Virgin Mary. It shares its heritage with cognates such as Maria, Marja, and Maaria, all tracing back to the same ancient root.