Mary is the English translation of the Hebrew name Miriam. There are different opinions on what it means; some sources say that it means “bitter,” or “beautiful one,” while others say that it derives from the Egyptian word that means “beloved.” It was a common female name at the time of Jesus, as is evident from all the different Marys who show up in the Gospels. This popularity is likely due to the fact that Miriam was the name of the sister of Moses, a well-known woman in the Jewish tradition.