Maris (given name)

Maris is a given name with various origins. It can be derived from the Latin phrase Stella Maris ("star of the sea"), an epithet for the Virgin Mary. Because of its derivation, the name Maris is also related to other names that connote the ocean.^[1] Another theory holds that it is derived from reference to the Irish triple Goddess The Morrígan as 'the three Maries'.^[2] It also etymologically refers to the words for 'sea/of the sea' in different languages like Spanish and Portuguese (mar), Old High German (meri), Indogermanic (mari), Irish Gaelic (muirí/mara) or French (mar/marine). It is also related to the Scottish and Irish language forms for Maria, Mairi and Máire, as well as the Germanic and Danish name Maren. It is used as a unisex name in Germany and Sweden as well as a feminine name in Estonia, the Netherlands and the English speaking countries. It is also used as a short form or variation of Maria, especially common in Estonia, the Netherlands and Germany. Also, Maris is a short form of the biblical name Damaris. There is also the phonetically similar Latvian masculine name Māris with a different root.