Marija

Marija is a feminine given name used across many languages, especially in South Slavic and Baltic regions. It is the form of Maria used in Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian, Slovenian, Lithuanian, and other languages. The name derives from the Latin Maria, ultimately from Hebrew Miriam, and is associated with the Virgin Mary in Christian tradition.

Variants include Maria, Marie, and Mariya. The spelling Marija is common in Slavic and Baltic languages to reflect local pronunciation. The name is widespread in Catholic and Orthodox communities, where Marian devotion has historically supported its popularity.

Notable individuals with the name include Marija Šerifović, a Serbian singer who won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2007, and Marija Gimbutas, a Lithuanian-American archaeologist known for her work on Neolithic Europe and the Proto-Indo-European homeland.

The given name Marija appears in many countries and cultures, sometimes reflecting local phonetics and spelling conventions while preserving the same underlying origin and meaning tied to Mary.

See also Maria (name) for related variants and etymology.